Research
Spillovers of Universities in Developing Countries
Exploring the spillover effects of universities on the local labor market, levels of schooling, and economic growth in developing countries
As a research assistant for this research lab, my primary focus is on analyzing data from Uganda. This research explores how the establishment of higher education institutions impacts surrounding communities, particularly in terms of socio-economic and demographic changes. Since the project spans multiple countries, I play a crucial role in thoroughly exploring and adapting the data to account for country-specific differences, ensuring the analysis remains accurate and contextually relevant.
Tools Used
Goal
Analyze the impact of universities in communities in Uganda
Methodology
Data Collection and Cleaning
Extracted data on neighborhood demographics and socio-economic indicators from DHS datasets. Cleaned and preprocessed data to ensure consistency and accuracy in analysis. Merged household-level data with geospatial data to establish proximity metrics.
Proximity Analysis
Calculated the distance of each neighborhood cluster to the oldest university inside of the proximity zones of 25km, 50km, and 75km. Reshaped data to look at a cluster-by-cluster basis.
Event Study Analysis
Identified the timeline of university establishments in Uganda. Compared pre- and post-establishment metrics for neighborhoods within the defined proximity zones to measure changes.
Impact
While the research is still ongoing, some preliminary data analysis shows that developing countries invest more money into tertiary education than they do on primary and secondary education. Understanding the impact of investments on developing countries can have significant impacts on policy-making and resource allocation. By understanding the spillover effects of universities, we can better understand how to allocate resources to maximize the benefits of higher education. As developing countries continue to invest more in higher education, it is important to note if this should be prioritized over primary and secondary education.