AIR–AERC 2026 Impact Evaluation Faculty Retooling Workshop: Strengthening Africa’s Research Capacity in Policy Evaluation

The AIR–AERC 2026 Impact Evaluation Faculty Retooling Workshop is a high-level training opportunity designed to enhance the skills of African researchers and academic faculty in evaluating social and economic policies. Organized by the African Economic Research Consortium in collaboration with the American Institutes for Research, this program is part of a broader effort to strengthen Africa’s capacity for evidence-based policymaking.

Established in 1988, AERC has played a pivotal role in advancing economic research and graduate training across Africa. Through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and knowledge co-production, the organization continues to empower African scholars to address pressing economic challenges with rigor and independence.

Why This Workshop Matters

Across Africa, governments and development organizations invest heavily in social and economic programs. However, understanding whether these programs actually deliver measurable impact remains a critical challenge. This workshop directly addresses that gap by equipping participants with advanced tools and methodologies to evaluate program effectiveness.

Participants will gain the ability to answer key policy questions such as:

• Does a specific program achieve its intended outcomes?
• How does impact vary across different population groups?
• Which interventions are most cost-effective?
• What mechanisms drive program success or failure?

By strengthening these analytical capabilities, the workshop contributes to more effective policymaking and improved development outcomes across the continent.

Workshop Objectives

The training is structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Key objectives include:

1. Developing a solid understanding of program and policy impact evaluation concepts
2. Learning how to formulate and refine evaluation questions
3. Exploring different evaluation designs and methodologies
4. Building criteria for selecting appropriate estimation strategies
5. Interpreting evaluation results accurately and linking them to policy implications
6. Gaining hands-on experience with quantitative tools and real-world data

What Participants Will Learn

This intensive six-day, face-to-face workshop covers a wide range of advanced topics in impact evaluation, including:

• Differences between impact evaluation and other evaluation approaches
• Core principles of answering evaluation questions
• Key challenges such as confounding variables, selectivity, and externalities
• Experimental and quasi-experimental designs
• Matching techniques and regression discontinuity methods
• Instrumental variables and addressing endogeneity
• Difference-in-differences estimation

The training combines lectures, case studies, and practical sessions using Stata, ensuring participants leave with actionable skills.

Training Approach and Facilitators

The workshop adopts a highly interactive and practical learning approach. Participants are encouraged to bring their own research projects or program evaluation cases for discussion.

Training will be delivered by experts from:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• American Institutes for Research
• UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti

This diverse team of facilitators ensures participants benefit from global expertise and real-world insights.

Dates and Venue

The workshop will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, following this schedule:

• June 28, 2026: Arrival of participants
• June 29 – July 4, 2026: Full-day training sessions
• July 5, 2026: Departure

The face-to-face format allows for deeper engagement, networking, and collaborative learning among participants from across Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this prestigious workshop, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of an African country
• Hold a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related field
• Be a teaching faculty member at an African university and/or an early-career researcher
• Have a record of publications in peer-reviewed outlets
• Demonstrate strong quantitative skills, including knowledge of regression analysis
• Be proficient in computer use and familiar with household survey data

The course will be conducted in English, with French interpretation available to support wider participation.

Application Process

Applicants must submit their applications via email available here

Applications should include:

• A cover letter clearly stating eligibility and interest
• A recommendation letter from the Head of Department
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (including gender, nationality, qualifications, and publications)

All applications should be addressed to the Executive Director of AERC and clearly reference:
“Application for AIR-AERC 2026 Impact Evaluation Faculty Retooling Workshop”.

Important Deadline

The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026. Late applications will not be considered, so early submission is strongly advised.

Final Thoughts

The AIR–AERC 2026 Impact Evaluation Workshop represents a valuable opportunity for African scholars to deepen their expertise in policy evaluation. By combining rigorous academic training with practical application, the program equips participants with the tools needed to influence policy decisions and contribute to sustainable development across Africa.

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