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Richard Akresh

Profile picture for Richard Akresh

Contact Information

411 1407 W Gregory Dr M/C 707
Urbana, IL 61801

Associate Professor

Biography

Richard Akresh is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. His primary research interests are in microeconomic development and labor economics focusing predominantly on children’s welfare issues in developing countries. He has examined the institution of child fostering in West Africa, as well as its impact on human capital investment for the involved children. Current research explores the impact of civil conflicts on human capital and health investments for young children. He is also interested in issues about migration, child labor, and intrahousehold bargaining.

Research Interests

Development

Education

Economics, Ph.D., Yale University

Courses Taught

Economics 450: Development Economics

Additional Campus Affiliations

Associate Professor, Economics
Associate Professor, Global Studies Programs and Courses
Associate Professor, Center for African Studies

Recent Publications

Akresh, R., Bhalotra, S., Leone, M., & Osili, U. (2023). First- and Second-Generation Impacts of the Biafran War & Journal of Human Resources, 58(2), 489-531. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.58.4.0118-9272R1

Akresh, R., Halim, D., & Kleemans, M. (2023). Long-Term and Intergenerational Effects of Education: Evidence from School Construction in Indonesia. The Economic Journal, 133(650), 582-612. Article ueac058. https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueac058

Akresh, R., Caruso, G. D., & Thirumurthy, H. (2022). Detailed geographic information, conflict exposure, and health impacts. World Development, 155, Article 105890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105890

Akresh, R., Halim, D., & Kleemans, M. (2018). Long-term and Intergenerational Effects of Education: Evidence from School Construction in Indonesia. (NBER Working Paper Series; No. 25265). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w25265

Akresh, R., Bhalotra, S. R., Leone, M., & Osili, U. O. (2017). First and Second Generation Impacts of the Biafran War. (IZA Discussion Paper; No. 10938). https://ssrn.com/abstract=3029809

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