WGAPE Call for Paper and Research Designs: 2022 Meeting at the University of Rwanda

Release date: February 10, 2022

Submission deadline: March 15, 2022 

Notification date: April 4, 2022 (Approx)

Meeting dates: June 27-28, 2022, University of Rwanda

OVERVIEW

WGAPE invites interested scholars to submit a paper to present at the Annual WGAPE Meeting, held this year in Kigali, Rwanda from June 27-28, 2022. Africa based scholars are additionally welcome to apply as a meeting participant, with or without a paper submission. The Working Group in African Political Economy (WGAPE) brings together faculty and advanced graduate students in Economics and Political Science who combine field research experience in Africa with training in political economy methods. The group has met semi-annually to discuss the in-progress work of its core members and has invited guests since 2002. It is co-led by Daniel Posner (Political Science, UCLA), Edward Miguel (Economics, UC Berkeley), Amanda Robinson (Political Science, Ohio State University), and Amma Panin (Economics, University of Louvain), and hosted by the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) at UC Berkeley.

ABOUT WGAPE

WGAPE meetings center on research discussion sessions rather than presentations. Papers are circulated and expected to be read in advance by all participants. Presenters provide brief, orienting comments before the floor is opened for an hour-long discussion of each paper or research design. WGAPE accepts working papers and research designs (see an archive of papers from past WGAPE meetings here). We expect to accept around 8 papers, and will have training and networking sessions alongside the paper discussions.

• What we’ll accept: We invite submissions that reflect WGAPE’s broad research agenda on political economy and development economics in sub-Saharan Africa, including civil conflict, decentralization and democratization, public economics, corruption, local governance, and other related topics. Submissions that deal with other topics in the applied microeconomics of development in Africa will also be considered. WGAPE commonly, but not exclusively, selects submissions with a strong focus on fieldwork and quantitative analysis.
• Paper Submission Categories: We invite submissions of papers or research designs. Early-stage but complete papers and research designs will be prioritized for inclusion. Research design submissions should describe a fully planned research study on one of the themes listed above. A suggested format for these submissions is the Pre-Analysis Plan (please find a template here). It is not necessary to reformat a Pre-Analysis Plan to exactly match the linked template, but a strong Pre-Analysis Plan will include the elements listed in the template. Africa based scholars may also apply to be a participant without a paper.
• Who is eligible: Priority will be given to junior faculty, post-doctoral scholars, and graduate students whose research interests are aligned with WGAPE themes. To apply as a participant without submitting a paper, we require that the participant be a junior scholar based in Africa.
• Timeline and logistics: Please submit your application by March 15th, 2022. Selected participants will arrive in Kigali, Rwanda by June 27th. Because the WGAPE format revolves around in-depth discussions rather than presentations, authors of selected papers are expected to read the papers in advance and participate in the full June 27-28th meeting.
• Participant costs and travel: With assistance from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, WGAPE will provide funding for travel, accommodation, and related expenses for one author of each accepted paper.

This is an excellent opportunity for junior researchers to network with more senior faculty from the US and Africa, engaging with new ideas on cutting edge research on African Political Economy.

APPLY TO SUBMIT YOUR PAPER OR RESEARCH DESIGN

To apply to present a paper or research design, please submit your materials to this link by 11:59pm PT on March 15, 2022. 

Submissions must include:

• Your paper or research design
• Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae or Resume with contact information, including country of current location
• A paragraph describing your research interests and the methods you use (or plan to use) for your research
• A paragraph describing why you would like to attend WGAPE and what you hope to gain from it

Successful applicants will be notified within a few weeks, and will be expected to attend the full 2-day workshop.

APPLY TO ATTEND AS A PARTICIPANT

For the 2022 WGAPE Annual Meeting, a select subgroup of participants from Africa-based institutions will be invited to Kigali, Rwanda to participate in WGAPE. This opportunity will  also include participation in networking events and research methods trainings. This fully funded opportunity is limited to graduate students, post-docs, and junior faculty working in political economy who either a) currently hold a faculty or research position at an African institution, b) received or are actively pursuing a graduate degree at an African institution, or c) received an undergraduate degree from an African institution and are currently in graduate school elsewhere.

Acceptance to attend the special sessions DOES NOT guarantee acceptance of a paper submission for the 2022 WGAPE Annual Meeting.

To apply to attend as a participant, please submit your materials to this link by 11:59pm PT on March 15, 2022 (if you are also submitting a paper or research design, you must complete both forms).  

WITHDRAWING OR AMENDING YOUR APPLICATION

If you have already applied for this RFP, and would either like to withdraw or amend your submission, please contact wgapeworkshop@gmail.com. Please also contact this email address for any further information or clarification.