Ph.D. course

How to Evaluate Development

Institute of Economics
University of Copenhagen
1 – 12 June 2004

I. INTRODUCTION

The Institute of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and its Development Economics Research Group (DERG) is organising an intensive two-week Ph.D. course on How to Evaluate Development from 1 to 12 June 2004. This is the 7th course of its kind offered in Copenhagen since 1997. How to evaluate development is a core concern for development economists and other social scientists, and the ongoing debates about the effectiveness of foreign aid illustrates the critical importance of better tools and improved practices in this field. A course outline, including a detailed list of topics to be covered, is provided below. The course will be open to approximately 25 participants.

The core development economics course is targeted towards researchers in the development economics environment in the Nordic countries, including in particular Ph.D. students admitted at Nordic economics institutions, independent of national and other background. However, interested practitioners with relevant professional background from for example multi- and bilateral aid organizations and researchers from elsewhere are also welcome.

Please note that the development economics course is scheduled to be followed up by a three day special module on Econometric aspects of programme evaluation from 14 to 16 June, for which separate registration is required. This module is being planned in cooperation with the University of Copenhagen Centre of Applied Econometrics (CAM), headed by Professor Martin Browning

II. LECTURERS

The following visiting professors will be teaching at the development economics course:

• Dr. Emmanuel Skoufias, The World Bank (Reading list)
• Professor Dean Karlan, Princeton University
• Professor Costas Meghir, University College London
• Professor Sherman Robinson, IFPRI

The special module on the econometric aspects of programme evaluation from 13 to 16 June will be taught by:

• Professor Petra Todd, University of Pennsylvania

III. COURSE OUTLINE

Each morning (M) and afternoon (A) session is scheduled to consist of two 45 minutes lectures with a 15 minutes break in between. Sessions will normally start at 9.15 am and 1.15 pm.   The econometrics lectures will take place from 9.00 – 10.30 am and from 11.00 – 12.30 am. However, further information will be provided as we go along.

The venue for the course will be the Institute of Economics at the University of Copenhagen, 'Bispetorvet' building. A list of relevant readings will be prepared before the course, and material which cannot be downloaded from the web will be made available in Copenhagen.

IV. COURSE CERTIFICATES/CREDITS

Successful participation will be used as a basis for providing course certificates to the participants. However, no formal exam will be held.

V. COURSE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The organisers of the course are

Professor Finn Tarp, Institute of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
E-mail: Finn.Tarp@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 30 41, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 64
Postal address: Studiestræde 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Assistant Research Professor Pieter Serneels, Institute of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
E-mail: pieter.serneels@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 30 41, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 64
Postal address: Studiestræde 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Ms. Vibeke Kovsted (administrator)
E-mail: Vibeke.Kovsted@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 44 03, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 64
Postal address: Studiestræde 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

VI. REGISTRATON AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPANTS

Those wishing to participate should fill out an application form as soon as possible. The application should be sent no later than 1 April 2004. Please also send a curriculum vitae and a description of research interests by e-mail to Vibeke Kovsted. A final list of participants will be issued in early May.

Assistance with booking accommodation in modest facilities will be available for Ph.D. students, and no course fee will be charged. However, financial assistance is generally not available to support student travel, accommodation and similar costs, except for Danish students under the Danish Graduate Programme in Economics. Limited funding is available for Nordic students through the Nordic Network in Economics. Should further information be required to help facilitate the funding process please do not hesitate to contact us.

Those wishing to participate must indicate in their application whether they wish assistance in making hotel reservation, clearly specifying name and duration of stay. Please direct all queries related to accommodation, transport etc. to Vibeke Kovsted.

 

Back to Activities           Back to  Development Economics Research Group