Working Group in African Political Economy (WGAPE) 2024 Meeting

The Working Group in African Political Economy (WGAPE) invites interested scholars to submit a paper to present at the WGAPE Meeting, held this year in Accra, Ghana from March 20-23, 2024. 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. WGAPE is currently 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.

In 2024, WGAPE will transition to a co-led model between East and West African Institutions, CEGA, and the current WGAPE Organizing Committee. Our first meeting in West Africa will be hosted by the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) and led by Edward Asiedu (Development Economics and Finance).

Meeting Information

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 will accept around 8 papers/research design, and will have training and networking sessions alongside the paper discussions. WGAPE invites interested scholars to submit a paper or research design to present at a meeting at University of Ghana from March 20-23, 2024.

Paper Submission Categories

We invite paper and research design submissions that reflect WGAPE’s broad research agenda on the political economy of African development, including ethnic politics, civil conflict and violence, decentralization and democratization, corruption, local governance, public economics, and other related topics. Submissions outside of these areas are very unlikely to be selected regardless of their quality. WGAPE commonly, but not exclusively, selects submissions with a strong focus on fieldwork and quantitative analysis. Graduate students and junior faculty are particularly encouraged to apply. WGAPE particularly encourages submissions from applicants who teach, study or have completed a degree at an African university. 

We invite submissions of papers or research designs. Early-stage papers and research designs will be prioritized for inclusion. Highly polished papers are unlikely to be selected. Research design submissions should describe a fully planned research study on topics relevant to WGAPE, as listed above. A suggested format for these submissions is the Pre-Analysis Plan (please find a template here). It is not necessary to reformat your Pre-Analysis Plan to fit the linked template, but a strong Pre-Analysis Plan will include the elements listed in the template.

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. Applicants whose papers are not accepted to be presented might still be considered for general attendance, if budget permits.

Considerations for Submissions

Please see here for an example of three previously accepted submissions.

Reviewers will consider the following factors when making their decisions about which papers or research designs to accept:

1. Completeness of the submission: Submissions will be rejected if they are incomplete or if the necessary details of the research design are not reported clearly and in sufficient detail.
2. Novelty: The study should add to or build on the existing literature, as well as advance the knowledge base about the research questions.
3. Relevance: The study should explore an area related to the political economy and development economics in sub-Saharan Africa, including civil conflict, decentralization and democratization, public economics, corruption, local governance, and other related topics. Note that quantitative studies will be prioritized (although studies that include some level of qualitative analysis are welcome).
4. Quality: We understand that papers/ research designs may be in the early stage, but reviewers will still want to ensure the methodology is rigorous and sound. To that end, are the assumptions motivating the analysis reasonable? Is the research design clear and well-articulated? Does the design hold promise of generating valid inferences that speak directly to the project’s motivation?

To submit your paper or research design, please complete the form at this URL by 11:59pm PT on Sunday, December 10, 2023.  

Submissions must include:

• Your paper or research design

• Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae or Resume with contact information, including current location

Successful applicants will be notified within a few weeks, and will be expected to attend the full 2.5-day workshop.

If you are based in Ghana, and would like to participate without submitting a paper, please write to both Gifty Ewurama Enchill (geenchill@ug.edu.gh) and Amy Shipow (amyshipow@berkeley.edu), keeping Edward Asiedu (edasiedu@ug.edu.gh) in copy, with an expression of your interest and how this opportunity will contribute to your personal and professional goals.

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 Amy Shipow at amyshipow@berkeley.edu.