UNU 2022 UNU-WIDER Winter School for African Researchers

The aim of the course is to provide African researchers with an understanding of the theories, methods, and data availability for conducting high quality analysis on tax and development economics. The course will take place in two parts during the period 31 May – 16 July 2022. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2022 23:59 UTC+2.

The Winter School will provide participants with a toolkit in applied public economics with special focus on the quantitative analysis of tax and public economics in developing countries. Part one will provide participants with a basic understanding of how to use Stata for data analysis and understanding statistical concepts in economics. During part two of the Winter school, participants will take part in lectures given by leading experts from UNU-WIDER’s global network and work intensively in the computer lab to strengthen their quantitative research skills.

The Winter School is part of UNU-WIDER’s programme on Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM). It is organized by the Building up efficient and fair tax systems – lessons based on administrative tax data project.

Beyond providing a methodological toolkit using practical examples, one of the main aims of this course is to sensitize participants to the key factors that make up policy relevant research. This may include innovativeness and the ability to make causal claims.

Topics that will be addressed during the course include:
1) Taxation and development: A developing country perspective
2) Tax incidence and excess burden: Theory and empirics 
3) Tax evasion and enforcement
4) Optimal taxation and redistribution 
5) International taxation

• Table of Content
• About United Nations University (UNU)
• UNU-WIDER Winter School
• Aim and Benefits of UNU-WIDER Winter School
• Requirements for UNU-WIDER Winter School Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

UNU-WIDER Winter School

Aim and Benefits of UNU-WIDER Winter School

UNU-WIDER will provide successful applicants with a travel grant to cover costs of travel to and from the home institution, accommodation, and most meals during the stay in Cape Town. Backoffice support will also be available to obtain an entry visa to South Africa.

Requirements for UNU-WIDER Winter School Qualification

The applicant must be a researcher or an analyst that has shown ability and interest to conduct policy-driven research on African economies. Candidates should be fluent in oral and written English and possess good quantitative analytical skills. Application is open to researchers from ministries, revenue authorities, other government agencies, universities, and research institutes in sub-Saharan Africa. Applications from suitably qualified early-career female researchers are particularly encouraged. Course certificates will be issued to participants who join a minimum of 80% of the lectures and practical sessions in both parts of the course.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

UNU-WIDER only receives online applications for the UNU-WIDER Winter School. Deadline for submission of applications is 18 March 2022 23:59 UTC+2 via this link.

Please take note that the following documents are required when submitting your application:

• CV
• A motivational letter
• A one-page originally written Stata code sample
• Letter of recommendation. This document must be submitted by its signatory to [email protected] before 18 March 2022 and you must provide her/his name in the application

Shortlisted candidates may be requested to take a short test on their quantitative skills (Stata coding, interpretation of regression results etc.). This will take place online. 

Selected applicants will be informed by e-mail of the final decision within two weeks of the closing deadline. The selected applicants must confirm their decision to take up the offer within two weeks of being contacted.

For more details, visit UNU website.