Anna Vitali

Anna Vitali is an Assistant Professor of Economics at New York University. Her research focuses on development and labor economics, with a particular emphasis on labor market policies, firm agglomeration, and the impacts of economic shocks such as the pandemic. She holds a PhD in Economics from University College London and has conducted extensive fieldwork in Uganda, collaborating with institutions like BRAC and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Her work often examines interventions targeting youth employment, vocational training, and the resilience of small firms during crises.

Education:

• PhD in Economics, University College London (ongoing)
• MSc in Economics, Bocconi University

Research Interests:

• Development Economics
• Labor Market Policies
• Firm Agglomeration and Urban Economics
• Economic Resilience to Shocks
• Impact of Vocational Training

Key Projects:

• A six-year field experiment evaluating vocational training and job search assistance for Ugandan youth (published in the Journal of Labor Economics).
• Analysis of firm agglomeration and customer search behavior in Uganda's garment sector.
• Studies on the impact of the pandemic on small firms and policy responses in Uganda.

Policy Contributions:

• Policy briefs on firm resilience, urban agglomeration, and post-COVID recovery strategies.

Grants and Collaborations: Her research has been supported by organizations such as the International Growth Centre (IGC) and involves collaborations with institutions like the London School of Economics and the University of Southern California.