Yonatan Dinku

Dr. Yonatan Dinku is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Indigenous Policy Research, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Otago and an MA in International and Development Economics from ANU. Prior to his current role, he lectured at Bahir Dar University and taught at the University of Otago. His research focuses on Indigenous wellbeing, human development, and applied microeconomics, with a strong emphasis on quantitative methodologies.

Education

• PhD in Economics, University of Otago
• MA in International and Development Economics, ANU
• BA in Economics, AAU

Research Interests

• Indigenous wellbeing frameworks and policy evaluation
• Socioeconomic determinants of child development
• Labour market outcomes for Indigenous populations
• Impact of language preservation on health equity
• COVID-19’s effects on Indigenous communities

Key Projects

• Review of methods for assessing progress towards Closing the Gap
• Footprints in Time: Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)
• Strong Culture, Strong Place, Strong Youth
• Law and Local Decision-Making Evaluation

Grants & Collaborations

Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, Yonatan has led projects funded by ANU and partnered with organizations like CAEPR. His work emphasizes policy-relevant research, particularly in Indigenous health, education, and employment.

Labs/Teams

Core member of the Centre for Indigenous Policy Research, contributing to national policy discussions on Indigenous wellbeing and equity.