Richard Freund

Development economist | Senior Research Associate, MIDE Development | Graduate of @UCT_news, @ODID_QEH | Proudly 🇿🇦

[Johan Fourie @JohanFourieZA]

We are looking for students that studied at South African universities with a strong record in economics, mathematics and statistics, the curiosity to work on hard questions, and the patience to spend several years building real expertise. If that sounds like you – or a friend – you can read the details and apply at https://t.co/9pC9iO8qa5.

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@DpmeOfficial @SeisoMohai @JPAL_Africa This is fantastic to see 👏🏼

[Marta Favara @MartaFavara]

Young Lives is recruiting for a new Research Assistant! This is an exciting opportunity for young researchers who would like to join the team in Oxford. Please have a look at more details here:

https://t.co/sLx10ZJ0tk

@yloxford

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@youthimpactorg @LEGOfoundation Fantastic to see 👏🏼

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

Completely agree with this!

I would add that the same should be true (and is maybe even more important) for leading master's programs, to build the foundations for a top PhD

[Dina D. Pomeranz 🟣 @DinaPomeranz]

- Reduce barriers to strong students from LMICs getting into leading PhD programs (e.g. waive the often prohibitive application fees)

- Teach grad students in all applied fields (labor, public, environmental, macro, etc.) about research across the global income distribution

6/n

[Dina D. Pomeranz 🟣 @DinaPomeranz]

- Reduce barriers to strong students from LMICs getting into leading PhD programs (e.g. waive the often prohibitive application fees)

- Teach grad students in all applied fields (labor, public, environmental, macro, etc.) about research across the global income distribution

6/n

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@thesamasher Thanks!

[UCT @UCT_news]

UCT’s Emeritus Professor Murray Leibbrandt has been selected as an International Economic Association (IEA) Fellow for 2025 in recognition of his outstanding scholarly contributions.

Read more: https://t.co/vcw3PAN3uw

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@alexolegimas @paulnovosad @JesusFerna7026 This is consistent with our paper looking at the effects of a Coursera job training programme in Costa Rica in JDE: https://t.co/WCuQllGbdC

Interested to see if AI is any different - but many of the same selection issues seem similar

[Young Lives @yloxford]

📢 New Publication!
As tensions increase in N. #Ethiopia, YL evidence from the last war in #Tigray shows violence doesn’t just destroy lives & infrastructure – it erodes the trust between neighbours that's needed to rebuild & maintain peace.
🔗 https://t.co/8JsRnQZbFy
#conflict

[Innovations for Poverty Action @poverty_action]

The freelancing sector is expanding, yet significant barriers persist. 🖥️ An entrepreneurial skills training program in El Salvador led to short-term gig success. However, after one year, freelancing comprised less than 4% of participants' income. What factors are limiting long-term sustainability? #GigEconomy #SkillsForWork

Find out here: https://t.co/4PO45O0GLV

This impact evaluation by @rnovella13, @RichardFreund13, @VifazioH, in collaboration with IPA, @the_IDB, @WisarTR & @EconomiaSV, uncovers key insights.

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@joshbudlender Thanks so much!

[Innovations for Poverty Action @poverty_action]

Can online job training help young people break into digital work? A study in El Salvador found that a 12-week training increased initial freelancing success and participants were 54% more likely to get a contract! 📈 But long-term job prospects remained low. #FutureOfWork

The impact evaluation was conducted by researchers @rnovella13, @RichardFreund13, @VifazioH, in collaboration with IPA, @the_IDB, @WisarTR and @EconomiaSV.

More insights here: https://t.co/4PO45O0GLV

[Jessica Leight @leightjessica]

Today's cool young researcher #econtwitter #econsky is @TimothyKohler @timkohler.bsky.social @DPRU_UCT who works on topics related to labor + development

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

Highly recommend applying for this opportunity!

Fantastic conference in a brilliant place. A great opportunity to get feedback on your work, and there is funding for international speakers!

[CREB @CREB_Pak]

📢Exciting news ahead! We are back with #ADE2025!

The 7th International Applied Development Economics Conference will be held in #Lahore, August 18-20, 2025.

The Call for Papers is now open! 📄

📅 Deadline: April 20, 2025
🔗 Submit your paper here: https://t.co/dP2IvIGgO1

[Young Lives @yloxford]

🏆 We are delighted that our Young Lives colleagues have been awarded the 2025 @oxsocsci Developing Impact Award for YL evidence directly informing legislative change to ban child marriage in Peru.
Find out more: https://t.co/dC1SrbJXX9
#SocialSciencesImpactAwards @ODID_QEH

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@alehidalgoa @EconCath @singhalecon @alan_sanchezj Whooohooo!! 🎉

[Richard Freund @RichardFreund13]

@ARUA_ACEIR @SALDRU1 @MurrayLeibbrand @UCT_Research @ARUA_News @guildeu @UCT_news Congrats @MurrayLeibbrand!