CTI is seeking two part-time students to support a retrospective evaluation of open innovation prize competitions. These competitions change the conventional approach to development. Instead of committing funds upfront with uncertain outcomes, prize competitions pay innovators for solving specific, well-defined problems in global development. While qualitative evidence seems to indicate that prize competitions can be effective at finding and scaling promising solutions, there are not currently many empirical analyses to support the claim. This study will use quasi-experimental methods to examine the impact of prize competitions on the outcomes of prize entrants. In particular, the research team hopes to understand how participating in a prize competition impacts changes in the revenues, follow-on investment, and “reach” of prize-winning (and finalist) innovations in comparison to those applicants who entered the prize competition but did not win or become finalists.
About CEGA
The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) is a hub for research, training and innovation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We generate insights that decision-makers can use to improve policies, programs, and people’s lives. Our best-in-class academic network includes nearly 200 faculty, 80 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—primarily from East and West Africa—and hundreds of graduate students from diverse academic disciplines who produce rigorous evidence about what works to expand education, health, and economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Our business model involves curating policy-relevant research agendas in collaboration with development leaders, overseeing competitive grant-making to answer critical questions, investing in research capacity, and strategically connecting research and ideas to inform decision-making by governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
CEGA values diversity and seeks to include people from under-represented groups on our team. Read our values statement.
Position Detail
CTI is seeking two part-time students to support a retrospective evaluation of open innovation prize competitions. These competitions change the conventional approach to development. Instead of committing funds upfront with uncertain outcomes, prize competitions pay innovators for solving specific, well-defined problems in global development. While qualitative evidence seems to indicate that prize competitions can be effective at finding and scaling promising solutions, there are not currently many empirical analyses to support the claim. This study will use quasi-experimental methods to examine the impact of prize competitions on the outcomes of prize entrants. In particular, the research team hopes to understand how participating in a prize competition impacts changes in the revenues, follow-on investment, and “reach” of prize-winning (and finalist) innovations in comparison to those applicants who entered the prize competition but did not win or become finalists.
Student assistants will perform a variety of complex duties in support of this academic research project. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Research Administrative Support (Interviews)
- Assist with developing the interview protocol
- Track, schedule, and set up interviews by phone or zoom
- Conduct interviews
- Provide a clean transcription of notes
- Assist in the analysis and synthesis of the qualitative interview data
- Assist with miscellaneous program administration tasks as they arise
Technical Support (Survey in Qualtrics)
- Programming and implementing a short survey in Qualtrics
- Assistance with ongoing analysis of survey data
- Assisting with updates to the project’s IRB protocol (valid CITI Certification is required).
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled undergraduate student(s) studying global development, social science, public policy, economics, or other relevant fields.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong ability to anticipate, plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines
- Strong administration research skills
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, hard worker
Additional Required Qualification (Survey in Qualtrics)
- Programming in Qualtrics and survey data analysis
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with data analysis using Excel, Stata, R, and/or Python
- Experience conducting interviews and analyzing interview data
- Experience working with cross-functional and multicultural teams
- Commitment to scientific, evidence-led international development policy and capacity building in low-income countries
Compensation
CEGA compensates undergraduate student interns at $21/hour.
Duration
Approximate dates (Fall semester): September 13 – December 13, 2024.
To Apply
Please submit a one-page cover letter and CV as one PDF with the naming convention “LastName_FirstName_FDInternFall24” to lizbrown@berkeley.edu.
Please apply by September 10, 2024 to be considered in our review.
