Warwick economist to lead £15 million research initiative into private enterprise in developing countries

University of Warwick economics professor Christopher Woodruff will oversee a new initiative that plans to invest £15 million into research on private enterprise development in low-income countries. The initiative, the largest research endeavour undertaken on the subject, is a joint venture co-ordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research in partnership with the Department for International Development. Professor Woodruff's expertise is in the arena of economic development, with a focus on microenterprise issues. He is also a research fellow at the University of Warwick-based Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) The new research programme, "Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries," aims to enhance understanding of how market forces in developing countries interact to impede private-sector efficiency, a critical component of sustained economic growth. The research initiative seeks to improve both academic understanding and to influence relevant public policies. The agenda is focused on low-income countries, and, in particular, those that are emerging from violent conflict. In his new role as Scientific Co-ordinator of the programme, Professor Woodruff will oversee more than 30 major research projects and around 80 smaller exploratory projects targeted toward young scholars in an effort to expand the network of researchers focused on these topics.