Kaba Mustafa

Kaba Mustafa is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Koç University, İstanbul. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the European University Institute and previously served as a post-doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods in Bonn, Germany. His research focuses on political economy, behavioral economics, and public policy, with a particular emphasis on applied microeconometrics, field experiments, and large-scale survey experiments.

Mustafa’s academic contributions include groundbreaking work on the economic consequences of authoritarian takeovers in local governance, the impact of female leadership on workplace dynamics, and the role of social norms in vaccination attitudes. His research has been recognized with prestigious grants, including the EU Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PF Grant and TÜBİTAK’s International Fellowship for Early Stage Researchers.

Recent articles highlight his interdisciplinary approach, analyzing topics such as vote-buying mechanisms, Olympic Games’ economic effects, and class-based policy preferences. His work frequently employs innovative methods like synthetic control analysis and Difference-in-Differences designs to address causal relationships in complex socio-economic phenomena.

• Awards: EU Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PF Grant, TÜBİTAK International Fellowship
• Grants: Multiple research grants supporting field experiments and policy analysis

Mustafa is affiliated with Koç University’s College of Administrative Sciences and Economics and collaborates with international research networks, including the Max Planck Institute. His research agenda also explores migrant integration challenges in Turkish municipalities and the visibility of public services in shaping local policies.