Dr Uttam Sharma

Summary

I am interested in empirical analysis of inter-disciplinary development issues. Developmental issues have always intrigued and motivated me, not least because of my upbringing in rural Nepal where a significant proportion of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. I passionately believe that addressing development challenges requires a multi-disciplinary perspective. My research is rooted in the policy challenges that poor countries face, and is informed by my work experience.

Research interests

I have a background in development economics, rigorous training in applied econometrics and experimental economics, and field-based research experience in impact evaluation in Asia (Nepal) and Africa (Nigeria and Tanzania). Impact evaluations, surveys and advanced econometric analyses have been integral part of my research and consulting work I have done during the past two years. For my research and work, I have used statistical tools and methodologies, such as instrumental variable methods and program evaluation approaches like randomized control trials and regression discontinuity designs. My current research involves exploring the impact of competition in microfinance market in Bangladesh, and evaluating the impact of One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program in increasing human capital in Nepal.

Background

After completing my Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota (USA) in January 2012, I started working at the University of Sydney. I hold a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Maryland (USA) and a Bachelors degree from Brandeis University (USA). My research interests are in the field of development economics, program evaluation, applied microeconomics, and economics of education. As impact evaluation specialist in Nigeria and Nepal, I have extensive field experience in these two countries. I have earlier done short-term consulting work for the World Bank, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPI), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and UNDP (Nepal). In 2010, I was a visiting instructor in Economics at Carleton College, USA teaching Principles of Microeconomics and Economics of Education.

Recent publications

Working papers

• Can Computers Increase Human Capital in Developing Countries? An Evaluation of Nepal’s One Laptop per Child Program (2012).
• Public and Private Schools in Nepal – A Comparative Perspective (2012).
• The Census Data Wealth Index: An Application to Predict Education Outcomes in Developing Countries (withRodrigo Lovaton Davila, Dorothy Gondwe, Aine Seitz McCarthy and Phatta Kirdruang (2011).