Richard Akresh

Richard Akresh is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, holding joint appointments in Global Studies Programs and the Center for African Studies. His research bridges development economics, health economics, and conflict studies with a focus on human capital formation in developing contexts.

Academic Background:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Yale University (2004)

Research Focus: Akresh specializes in microeconomic development with particular emphasis on children's welfare in conflict-affected regions. His work examines how armed conflicts, civil wars, and climate-related shocks impact human capital investments, health outcomes, and educational attainment across generations. He employs rigorous econometric methods including difference-in-differences designs and randomized controlled trials to evaluate interventions like cash transfer programs in Burkina Faso. His research spans Africa (Nigeria, Rwanda, Eritrea/Ethiopia, Burkina Faso) and Indonesia, with significant contributions to understanding intergenerational mobility through education.

Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2023) demonstrates increasing sophistication in geographic conflict exposure measurement and intergenerational analysis. His publications reveal three dominant threads: (1) long-term conflict consequences (Biafran War studies), (2) education infrastructure impacts (Indonesian school construction), and (3) innovative health intervention evaluations (Burkina Faso cash transfers). Methodologically, he transitions from observational studies to experimental designs while maintaining focus on children's welfare.

Professional Recognition:

• Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
• Research Fellow, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• Senior Affiliate, Households in Conflict Network (HiCN)
• Research Affiliate, Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD)

Akresh leads field experiments evaluating cash transfer mechanisms and early childhood development programs in Africa. His work combines household survey data with geospatial conflict exposure metrics to isolate causal pathways from conflict to human capital outcomes. Current projects examine climate-conflict linkages and their developmental consequences.