Joseph Ajefu is an Assistant Professor in Economics at Newcastle Business School and he holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester. Prior to joining Northumbria University, he worked at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand, and Nottingham Trent University. His research interests are focused on applied econometrics, with contributions to development economics, financial economics, health economics, labour, and public economics. His recent research themes include financial inclusion, property rights, conflict, climate change, fertility, child and maternal health, and household welfare in low-and-middle-income countries.