Tara Sylvia Bedi CV
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)
Department of Economics Dublin, Ireland
Research Fellow, Since 2021
MSCActions Research Fellow, 2017-2020
EDUCATION
University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)
Dublin, Ireland
Ph.D. Development Economics, 2013 - 2018
- Dissertation Topic: “Innovative and effective financial services and
information awareness for inclusive poverty reduction: The role of
mobile banking and awareness programmes in changing saving, credit and
employment behaviour of poor households and the resulting impact on
household welfare.”
- Advisor: Michael King
- Committee: Andrew McKay, Tara Mitchell
Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Cambridge,
USA
Master of Public Administration in International
Development, 2002 - 2004
Core subjects: Analysing politics for
policy, human rights and international politics, good governance and
democratisation, legal, social and political institutions in
development, resource contes- tation, development policy analysis &
design, advanced micro and macro economics, econometrics
Lewis & Clark College, Economics
Department
Portland, USA
BA in Economics
with Honours, 1996 - 2000
PUBLICATIONS
- Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe: Background, Impact, and Policy. (2019),
with T. McIndoe-Calder and R. Mercado. Palgrave Pivot.
- Formal Financial Inclusion in Kenya: Understanding the Demand-Side
Constraints. (2015), with M. King. Chapter in Kenya’s Financial
Transformation in the 21st Century. Edited by Amrik Heyer and Michael
King. Nairobi, Kenya: FSD Kenya
- Leading Edge 2020: Critical Thinking on the Future of International
Development. (2011), with M. Bateman, L. Gold and O. Moore.
Trócaire.
- My Word is my Bond: Delivery of aid commitments by Ireland. (2010),
with B Riordan. Tr`{o}caire Development Review 2010, 101-22
- More than a pretty picture: using poverty maps to design better
policies and interventions. (2007), with A. Coudouel and K. Simler.
Washington, DC: World Bank.
- Beyond the numbers: understanding the institutions for monitoring
poverty reduction strategies. (2006), with A. Coudouel, M. Cox, M.
Goldstein, and N. Thornton. Washington, DC: World Bank.
- Impact Evaluation and the Project Cycle. (2006), with S. Bhatti, X.
Gine, E Galasso, M. Goldstein, and A. Legovini.
IN REVIEW
- Shifting spousal decision-making patterns: Who you target in an
agriculture intervention matter. The impact of Farmer’s Innovation Fund
in Ethiopia, with N. Buehren, M. Goldstein and T. A. Ketema.
WORKING PAPERS
- Forty Years of Charitable Giving in Ireland: What have we learnt,
with O. B. Breen and J. Carroll.
- Mental Accounting, Spousal Control and Intra-Household
Communication: Evidence from an Experiment in India, with A. Jose and M.
King
- Accountability of public works entitlements in rural India, with L.
Kuld.
- Income Uncertainty and Preferences for Formal Financial Products:
Evidence from Rural Kenya, with M. King.
POLICY BRIEFS
- Achieving social impact through Graduation programmes
- Overview of the Results from the QuIP Report on Concern Worldwide
Graduation Programme, Malawi, with Concern Worldwide.
- The Graduation Model and Gender Empowerment Research Project in
Malawi, with Concern Worldwide.
- Highlights from the Baseline Survey on the Graduation Households,
with Concern Worldwide.
- The Umodzi Pilot: Successes and Learnings, with Concern
Worldwide.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
- Module Coordinator & Lecturer, Impact Measurement
Masters in
Development Practice, 2018 - 2023
- Lecturer, Survey Design and Qualitative Evaluation Methods,
Trinity IMpact Evaluation (TIME) Online Course on Impact Evaluation,
2021 - 2023
- Supervision of nine master dissertations
Masters in Development
Practice, 2021 - 2023
- Teaching Assistant, Microeconomics (2nd year)
Department of
Economics, 2016 - 2017
- Lecturer, Economics of Less Developed Countries (3rd year)
Department of Economics, 2015 - 2016
- Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Economic Policy (1st year)
Department of Economics, 2013 - 2014
Honours, Awards, Grants
- Mental Well-Being and School-Related Gender Based Violence: Evidence
from Zambia (2023 - 2025), with Wei Chang, Menaal Ebrahim, Anu Jose,
Michael King, and Sophia Friedson-Ridenour. Funder: World Bank
(${250,000})
- Gender Norms and the Mauritania Social Transfer Programme (2021 -
2024), with Michael King, Rachael Pierotti and Julia Vaillant. Funder 1:
World Bank ($320,750); Funder 2: International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI) ($125,000)
- Impact Evaluation of Concern’s Graduation Model in Malawi (2017 -
2024), with Michael King. Funder: Concern Worldwide (€2,150,000)
- Impact of a gender targeted graduation model and norm-transforming
intervention on IPV (2020 - 2022), with Michael King and A. Ramos.
Funder: Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) ($30,183.00)
- Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions COFUND Collaborative International
Research Fellowship for a Responsive and Innovative Europe (CAROLINE).
(2017 - 2022) “Understanding the Gender and Inequality: Dimensions of a
Leading Multifaceted Anti-Poverty Programme (the Graduation Model).”
Funder: Irish Research Council (€205,120)
- Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship (2014 - 2017).
Funder: Irish Research Council (€78,000)
- Department Scholarship, Department of Economics (2013 - 2017).
Funder: Trinity College Dublin (€20,000)
- John F. Kennedy Scholarship. (2002 - 2004). Funder: Harvard
University ($20,000)
- Mary Stuart Rogers Scholar (1999). Funder: Lewis & Clark College
($5,000)
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIALS
Mental Well-Being and School-Related Gender Based Violence,
Evidence from Zambia: Using a randomised control trial (RCT), with
randomisation at the school level, this study will evaluate the impact
of the empowerment programme on adolescent girls’ knowledge of school
related gender based violence (SRGBV); attitudes and norms around gender
roles, corporal punishment, bullying, sexual violence, and response to
SRGBV; socio-emotional skills; mental health and social support. Data
will be collected from approximately 3,000 adolescent girls and their
teachers/peers/caregivers across three districts in Zambia. Affiliated
authors and institutions: Tara Bedi, Wei Chang, Menaal Ebrahim, Anu
Jose, Michael King, and Sophia Friedson-Ridenour. Trinity College
Dublin, Africa Gender Innovation Lab World Bank.
Gender, Social Norms and the Mauritania Social Transfer
Programme: Designed, secured funding and implemented a RCT on
understanding the impact of gender social norms interventions. The RCT
tests the effect of adding a) couples empowerment training and b)
community interventions to a cash transfer programme on female
empowerment, spousal cohesion and welfare outcomes. Affiliated authors
and institutions: Tara Bedi, Claire Boxho, Michael King and Julia
Vaillant. Trinity College Dublin and Africa Gender Innovation Lab World
Bank
Research website: https://www.tcd.ie/time/research/social-protection/gender_mauritania/
Gender impacts from the Graduation Programme in Malawi:
Designed, secured funding and implemented a randomised control trial
(RCT), which studies the impact of varying the gender of the recipient
of an anti-poverty programme and a gender empowerment training on
intrahousehold bargaining power, well-being, and household poverty.
Affiliated authors and institutions: Tara Bedi, Michael King, and Julia
Vaillant. Trinity College Dublin, Africa Gender Innovation Lab World
Bank.
Research website: https://www.tcd.ie/time/research/malawigraduation/
LAB EXPERIMENTS
- Joint Accounts in the Fintech Era: We revisit the topic of
joint accounts and assess how their terms of labelling, transparency and
spousal approval, increasingly varied due to innovations in the fintech
sector, affect intrahousehold allocation decisions. We also assess the
impact of personally earning money versus gifted money on subsequent
expenditure decisions of couples. Affiliated authors and institutions:
Tara Bedi, Anu Jose and Michael King. Trinity College Dublin.
Research website: https://www.tcd.ie/time/research/financial/joint-accounts-india/
MIXED METHODS
Female Empowerment and Well Being: Designed a mixed
methods evaluation that incorporates a qualitative study along side the
RCT on the gender focused multifaceted anti-poverty, ‘graduation’,
programme in Malawi. The objective of this research is to enable a
deeper understanding of participants’ own interpretation of the
programme’s impact on their empowerment and household relations. The
qualitative component involved two rounds of the Qualitative Impact
Protocol (QuIP), a method for mapping causal drivers of change from the
perspective of female participants, where the qualitative researchers
are partially ‘blindfolded’ to reduce pro-project and confirmation bias.
The RCT comprised ‘before’ and ‘after’ surveys, separated by 24 months,
of both spouses. Affiliated authors and institutions:} Rebekah Avard,
Tara Bedi, James Copestake, and Michael King. Trinity College Dublin,
University of Bath.
Gender Norms and the Mauritania Social Transfer Program:
Designed and secured funding for a qualitative research project on a
cash transfer combined with gender norms programming to study 1) the
role of complementary programming and the 2) mechanisms underlying the
impact of cash transfers on intimate partner violence.The research team
will examine the mechanisms of impact and how they vary across different
versions of the gender norms programme. This will include investigation
of changes at the household level and the possibility of socially
transformative changes. The study will use a combination of Qualitative
Impact Protocol (QuIP) interviews at the household level, Focus Group
Discussions (FDGs) and observational ethnographic research within
communities. Affiliated authors and institutions:} Tara Bedi, Claire
Boxho, James Copestake, Michael King, Rachael Pierotti, Fiona Remnant
and Julia Vaillant. Trinity College Dublin and Africa Gender Innovation
Lab World Bank, University of Bath.
OTHER PROJECTS
The Donations Project in Ireland: Designed a research
project using the Irish Household Budget Survey, 1987 through 2015, to
look at the growth patterns and factors that shifted household
donations, including tax policy, over the past four decades. Affiliated
authors and institutions: Tara Bedi, Oonagh B. Breen, and James Carroll.
Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin.
Weather Shocks, Poverty and Well-being in Malawi: In
this project, we look at the impact of Cyclone Idai in Malawi on
household welfare, well-being and gender dynamics. Affiliated authors
and institutions: Tara Bedi, Michael King, Ilan Noy, and Julia Vaillant.
Trinity College Dublin, Africa Gender Innovation Lab World Bank and
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
The Contrasting Profile of Spousal Mental Well-being In
Africa, Evidence from Malawi: Making use of a detailed panel survey
data from Malawi, this research will focus on whether spouses in poor
households of rural Malawi differ in their mental health status. Our
measures include GAD, self-efficacy, and an index of
depression/stress/life satisfaction. The paper will investigate
potential correlates, including social norms, that may explain any
differentials between the mental health of men and women. Affiliated
authors and institutions: Tara Bedi, Anu Jose and Michael King. Trinity
College Dublin.
Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Well-being and
Bandwidth, Evidence from Malawi: Using a household-level panel
survey from Malawi containing a detailed mental well-being module for
couples and information related to cyclone Idai and its associated
flooding, we investigate the effect of the disaster on the self-efficacy
of individuals. As almost all individuals reported being affected by the
flood, we define a shock threshold to compare those most severely
affected and those less so. To overcome reporting bias in relation to
flooding damages, and the possibility that the level of damage might be
correlated with unobservables that also affect mental well-being, we
combine the household panel data with geospatial data on rainfall and
proximity to the nearest river. Contributing to the literature on gender
differential effects of disasters and shocks, we estimate the effects of
the cyclone by gender. Building on the existing evidence related to the
importance of aspirations and efforts in post-disaster recovery, this
study analyses spousal self-efficacy post-disaster. Our intrahousehold
comparison allows us to examine the gender-specific tools required for
mitigating disaster impacts among couples. Affiliated authors and
institutions: Tara Bedi, Michael King and Samuel McArdle. Trinity
College Dublin, IGEES.
Exploring Intra-Household Gender Differences in Reporting
Exposure to Shocks: Poor households are more susceptible to face
negative shocks, which may undermine development and anti-poverty
interventions. Yet, in attempting to understand households’ exposure to
shocks, it might be imperative to consider the gender of the respondent
when utilising survey-based measures. A growing body of literature is
exposing intra-household gender differences in survey reporting of
various socio-economic measures, even those seemingly objective. This
paper contributes by adding a ``shock’’dimension to this literature.
Using survey data that captures household shock reports by both the male
and female spouse within a household in rural Malawi, the paper aims to
establish whether men and women report household shocks differently.
Moreover, it seeks to explore possible mechanisms that correlate with
spousal concordance, and whether concordance can be associated with
women’s wellbeing outcomes. The results of this paper will make valuable
contributions to research using survey-based measures to study household
shocks. For instance, if systematic differences are detected, reliance
on responses from only one spouse might entail biases which should be
carefully considered when targeting, or evaluating the impact of,
development interventions based on these measures. Affiliated authors
and institutions: Nouf Abushehab, Tara Bedi, and Michael King. Trinity
College Dublin.
WORK EXPERIENCE
UNU-WIDER, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Short-term consultant, 2017
- Analysed and wrote a chapter on household credit access in Vietnam
from the latest round of Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey
(VARHS)
World Bank, Dublin, Ireland
Short-term
Consultant, Summer 2013
- Co-wrote a research paper looking at the issue of unemployment and
social safety nets in Latvia.
Trócaire, Maynooth, Ireland
Policy
Officer, 2011 - 2013
- Developed and delivered policy and advocacy projects on Financing
For Development, including Tax Justice, and Policy Coherence for
Development.
- Developed an M&E framework for policy and advocacy and wrote the
annual M&E report on policy and advocacy for the organisation.
Policy & Research Coordinator, 2008 - 2011
- Managed a team of policy officers and administration support.
Responsibilities included setting work agendas for individuals in the
team, monitoring progress, and creating opportunities to develop
individual skill sets. Additional responsibilities included developing
standards on policy publications and establishing monitoring and
evaluation processes for advocacy work. *Lead researcher for the
Trócaire Research publication “Leading Edge 2020: Critical thinking on
the future of International Development.” Responsibilities included
securing funding for the project, developing research methodology and
analysis framework, collecting and analysing the data and managing a
team of researchers.
- Editor of the Trócaire Development Review, the annual policy journal
produced by Trócaire, activities included drafting call for papers,
securing papers for journal, overseeing reviewing process, managing
relationship with people on the editorial board, producing journal and
dissemination of the journal.
Research Officer on Food Security, Livelihoods &
Environmental Justice Team, 2007 - 2008
- Lead and designed research on food security, developed case studies
on successful initiatives of Trócaire‘s food security work, wrote
Trócaire‘s contribution to the Irish Government’s Hunger Task Force and
regularly briefed Trócaire‘s Director for the Hunger Task Force’
meetings.
World Bank, Poverty Reduction & Economic Management
(PREM), Washington DC, USA
Junior Professional
Associate, 2004 - 2006
Poverty Analysis, Monitoring &
Impact Evaluations team in the Poverty Reduction Group
- Co-managed the work programme on Using Small Area Estimation Poverty
Maps to Allocate Resources and Design Policy. Tasks included drafting
the concept note, overseeing 14 country studies, managing consultants,
providing guidance and feedback on reports, writing papers on poverty
map applications and on strengthening the impact of poverty maps,
organising a conference on the emerging lessons and the case studies,
and making presentations on the results of the work programme
- Coordinated work on Impact Evaluations, including organising
workshops, trainings and lunchtime seminars, supervising development of
an impact evaluation database. Researched and co-wrote a qualitative
evaluations methods note and an evaluation standards best practice
review.
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organisation (IRCO)
), Portland, USA
Programme Coordinator of
Volunteers, 2001 - 2002
Non-profit refugee resettlement
service organisation
- Responsible for recruitment, training, support and management of
over 100 volunteers at IRCO
- Co-lectured a Portland State University Senior class
- Identified, designed and implemented new volunteer opportunities,
such as Youth Mentors, Case Managers for Domestic Violence
programme
- Developed outreach programmes between the local community and newly
arrived refugees
- Created programme handouts, newsletters, supplemental training and
educational material
COMPUTER SKILLS AND LANGUAGES
- Statistics: Stata (excellent), basic knowledge of R
- Typesetting: LaTex, Microsoft Office
- Languages: English (native), Spanish (intermediate)
BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATES
- Master in Development Practice, Course Committee Member, Trinity
College Dublin
- Board Director of Plan International Ireland
- Researcher Gathering on Financial Inclusion and Social Protection,
2022 (Chicago); European Research Network On Philanthropy (ERNOP)
Conference, 2021 (Dublin); Africa Gender Equal- ity Conference, 2021
(virtual); UN Commission for the Status of Women, 2021 (virtual); the
Gen- der Study Group, 2021 (virtual); MenEngage Ubuntu Symposium, 2021
(virtual); RESULTS.org, 2019 (virtual); Irish Aid, 2019 (Malawi); World
Bank, 2019 (Washington DC and Malawi); Gates Foundation, 2019 (Seattle);
Skoll Ecosystem Session: Poverty Graduation & Women’s Economic
Empowerment, 2019 (Oxford); DIAL Development conference, 2017 (Paris);
NORDIC conference in Development Economic, 2016 (Oslo).
- Certificates: Social Norms, Social Change I. Social Norms, Social
Change II
CONFERENCES AND INVITED PRESENTATIONS
- Re-imagining Social Protection in a time of Global Uncertainty, 2023
(Brighton, upcoming)
- Keynote: Disruptive Technologies in Computing and Communication
Systems, 2023 (Hyderabad)
- Researcher Gathering on Financial Inclusion and Social Protection,
2022 (Chicago)
- Irish Aid, 2021 (Malawi)
- Graduation Programme Learning Event: Concern Worldwide in
collaboration with Ministry of EP&D, 2021 (Malawi)
- European Research Network On Philanthropy (ERNOP) Conference, 2021
(Dublin)
- Africa Gender Equality Conference, 2021 (virtual)
- UN Commission for the Status of Women, 2021 (virtual)
- The Gender Study Group, 2021 (virtual)
- MenEngage Ubuntu Symposium, 2021 (virtual)
- RESULTS.org, 2019 (virtual)
- Irish Aid, 2019 (Malawi)
- World Bank, 2019 (Washington DC and Malawi)
- Gates Foundation, 2019 (Seattle)
- Skoll Ecosystem Session: Poverty Graduation & Women’s Economic
Empowerment, 2019 (Oxford)
- DIAL Development conference, 2017 (Paris)
- NORDIC conference in Development Economic, 2016 (Oslo)
REVIEWING AND EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
- Journal Reviewer: World Development Perspectives; Economic
Modelling
- Funding: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Digital Finance
(WEE-DiFine)
- Editor: Trócaire Development Review, 2008 - 2010