Global Data Lab

Last week was full of exciting events. I got the opportunity to discuss International development and climate adaptation in the Global South with participants of the 79th Leergang Buitenlandse Betrekkingen (~Training on International Relations) organized by The Clingendael Institute. It was a great pleasure to exchange and discuss with the participants. An amazing offer for individuals interested in international relations. Thanks to Luuk Pepers and Isabel Albers for inviting me.

After almost six years, I am honored to share that I now officially hold a doctoral degree in Economics from the ETH Zürich (D-MTEC ETH Zurich). My dissertation, titled "Mismatched Motives: The Economic Consequences of Distorted Incentives in the Public Sector", can be downloaded at https://lnkd.in/en-nc4_R (Open access). In it, you will find chapters on fiscal waste and manipulation, fiscal-monetary interaction, a novel sub-national corruption database with indices on petty & grand corruption (CorruptionRadar), as well as an analysis of the local effects of corruption on local economic development. During the PhD, I also wrote articles on the determinants and economic consequences of fertility in the developing world, as well as on the historical inequality in life expectancy globally. I also interned at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s ALDC division. I want to express my gratitude to Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm who took a chance on me by offering to write my dissertation at the Chair of Applied Macroeconomics at the KOF Swiss Economic Institute of ETH Zurich. It is not everyday that you get a supervisor that allows you to explore such a diverse range of topics. His confidence in his students and colleagues fosters a creative working environment, from which I benefited tremendously. I am also very grateful to my former teachers turned co-authors, Dr. Frank Bohn and Prof. Dr. Jeroen Smits, who have always urged me to take that extra step. A much more elaborate yet non-exhaustive list of acknowledgements is available in the dissertation. Finally, I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to my wife, Bettina Nyeste, for her endless love, patience and unwavering belief in me. She has been my anchor during the PhD, and her support, understanding and sacrifice have made this accomplishment possible. In case you are curious about my next step, so am I! If you know any interesting position that fits my profile, do reach out! Until then, cheers!

We keep adding new data and features to our Global Data Lab. (PhD) researchers from inside and outside Radboud University who plan to give their work a push during the summer might be interested to know that we have compiled yearly CO2 emissions and fine particulate matter at the subnational level for all countries across the globe for the period 1990 to 2022. Check out our geospatial data here: https://lnkd.in/e6HrTKP9. For questions, please reach out to Olexiy Kyrychenko who made this all possible for you.

The Global Data Lab of Nijmegen School of Management / Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen has yet another new feature. Students who have written their BA or MA thesis with us give a snapshot of their research to introduce interested students to the possibilities of the lab. Most importantly, the student pages also present ideas for future research. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eT8U59hV

Do you wonder what your BA or MA thesis should be about? Are you still looking for a topic? You might want to check out the data provided by Global Data Lab to get inspired. All students from inside Nijmegen School of Management / Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen and outside who work with Global Data Lab data can submit their thesis for the Global Data Lab Prize like Róbin Smaal and Ylonka Bakker our 2023 winners.

Not only has the Global Data Lab given out the MA Thesis Prize for the second time but also the BA Thesis Prize. I am proud to announce Ylonka Bakker as the 2023 BA Prize Winner with her thesis entitled "The effect of population pressure on the International Wealth Index within different sub-regions in Nigeria". Congratulations.

I am excited to share that we had the second edition of the GDL Best MA Thesis Prize. Róbin Smaal won the prize for her thesis entitled "Impact of Climate Initiatives on Emissions and Human Development in Africa". Congrats to Robin from the entire Global Data Lab team.