RAE Prize Winner’s Article Published Online

We are pleased to report that Maike Kusserow, Warwick Economics 2020 graduate and Research in Applied Economics (RAE) Prize Winner has had a short article published on the OECDs ‘Wikigender’ platform: Can Political Gender Equality Produce Educational Gender Equality? Evidence from Developing Regions.

Maike’s paper explores the educational and political gender inequalities in Sub-Saharan Africa and more specifically in Uganda - investigating the relationship between them. She attempts to answer the question - Can female political representation put more girls in schools? Her research findings point out that women’s participation in politics has the potential to enhance female value in society and improve young girls’ aspirations and educational prospects.

Maike’s article can be viewed here: Can Political Gender Equality Produce Educational Gender Equality? Evidence from Developing Regions.

The article is based on Maike’s RAE project for which she was awarded the Department of Economics Rohin Modasia Prize. Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Elizabeth Jones said that the prize goes to students whose RAE projects demonstrate ‘An enterprising approach to Economics in application to the real world business or public sector, i.e. a practical project or a practical application of the subject making a potentially usable contribution towards the wider community (promoting sustainability, alleviating poverty etc.).’

On receiving the prize, Maike said:

“I am so honoured to have received this Prize for my RAE. Working on my RAE was undoubtedly one of the best parts of my 3 years at Warwick, and I think it is really something that makes an undergraduate degree from the Warwick Economics Department worth so much more. It is the perfect experience of what research in the field is really like.

The fact that I was able to dedicate so much time and also receive invaluable guidance from an experienced researcher (Yannick Dupraz) and from other Department resources in order to contribute practical insights to the literature on gender inequality and gender quotas in the developing world, is really exciting.”

Following her graduation, Maike is taking time to complete different internships and is considering doing a Master’s degree in the field of international development in the future.

About the Author

Maike Kusserow has recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a BSc in Economics & Politics with study abroad at Sciences Po Paris. She is German-Colombian and grew up between East Africa, Germany, Austria and Colombia. She is passionate about issues of gender inequality and has a great interest in development economics.