(Natascha) N Wagner

Research Interests: Microeconomics, Microeconometrics, Micro-Development, Impact Evaluations, Health Economics (HIV/AIDS, Maternal & Child Health), Urban & Rural Development, Network Dynamics, Gender Roles and Female Empowerment,

My research interests lie in international economics, development and health. I consider my research area as an integral input in any modern economics research/education program. Issues of and obstacles to development are far from understood and need further analysis.

I have participated in various impact evaluation projects in Africa and Asia ranging from the assessment of public health programs to rural infrastructure programs. In my research, I apply quantitative microeconomic methods to interdisciplinary questions such as for example the impact of polygamous household organization on child health, the economic consequences of female genital cutting (FGC) and the link between bride price payments and fertility decisions.

In addition to the wide range of topics my research touches upon (poverty dynamics, networks, child health, HIV/AIDS, household organization, etc.), I also employ various econometric techniques in order to adequately exploit the different datasets; these techniques range from 2SLS to GMM, including conditional logistic regressions, quantile estimations and an application of the Mundlak procedure to name just some prominent examples.

My research is based on and motivated by field experience. I gained valuable experience in countries as diverse as Senegal and Bangladesh. In Côte d'Ivoire, for example, I supported the Projet d'urgence Multisectoriel de Lutte contre le Sida (PUMLS) with the implementation of a HIV prevention project and an accompanying impact evaluation. I also oversaw several projects in Senegal and got to know this country as well: I repeatedly worked with the Conseil National de Lutte contre le Sida (CNLS) under the auspices of the World Bank. I was also involved in an impact evaluation for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project concerned a rural infrastructure program that aims at providing electricity for villages that are not connected to any electrical grid. The multifunctional platforms that are installed in the course of the intervention are big motors that transform diesel into electric energy. The project is financed by the Gates Foundation.

Currently, I work on the impact assessment of the long-term effects of quality improvements in Philippine public hospitals. To this end I visited the Philippines in early 2013 and set up a long-term follow-up survey with my local colleague Stella Quimbo. Moreover, I am in the process of setting up a randomized control trail in Burkina Faso. Financed by 3ie, the study seeks to assess the impact of SMS reminders to promote retention and adherence in HIV/AIDS care.

For further information please consult my personal web page: www.natascha-wagner.com