Below is a list of research topics I am currently interested in. I expect to keep this list updated frequently as new ideas come to mind.

Some of my research interests include:

• conditional cash transfers (CCTs)
• microfinance
• civic education
• civil society participation
• transparency & open data initiatives
• community participation
• marginalized populations
• gender equity
• participatory budgeting
• opportunity costs to education & technology adoption
• theories: endogenous growth, modernization, human capital
• gender budget analysis
• rural distance learning/education of nomadic populations
• mapping technologies

Current & Future Research

Topic: Mapping Brazil’s Favelas: Engaging Civil Society
This research is focusing on the various mapping initiatives of Brazil’s favelas and the role that civil society plays in those initiatives for increased civic participation and engagement.
Status: ongoing through May 2012
Keywords: Brazil, geomapping, favelas, civil society

Past Research

Topic: Critical Examination of the Primary Education Stipend Program (PEPS) in Bangladesh
This research examined the conditional cash transfer program of PEPS since 2002 and the effects of the program on primary education. Recommendations are included.
Status: ongoing through September 2011
Keywords: Bangladesh, conditional cash transfer, primary education

Topic: Gender Disparity in Indigenous Education in Guatemala
This research focused on policy initiatives to increase both participation and quality of female education in Guatemala’s indigenous populations.
Status: ongoing through May 2011
Keywords: gender disparity, Guatemala, indigenous education

Topic: Alternative Forms of Civic Education in Brazil’s Favelas: Engaging Youth Through Creativity
This research was a compliment to my March 2011 trip to Sao Paulo to work with various NGO’s and CSO’s. The topic focused on creativity in civic education among the favelas of Brazil using the arts, music, and technology (mobile, Internet, television, radio).
Status: ongoing through April 2011
Keywords: Brazil, civic education, creativity, favelas

Topic: A Comparison of Educational Development in North and South Nigeria: Implications of Gender Disparity
This research focused on regional variances of gender disparity within the different geo-political zones in North and South Nigeria. My research sought to answer what factors into that disparity and includes in-depth analysis of the opportunity cost of male versus female in Nigerian society.
Status: paper peer-reviewed and presented at 2011 ESRI
Keywords: Nigeria, education, gender disparity, opportunity cost

Topic: Transparency in Educational Budgeting Through Increased Community Participation
This research focused on three policy recommendations within Ugandan education to help battle corruption and build more transparency within local communities.
Status: completed
Keywords: Uganda, education, budgeting, corruption, technology