Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) and the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) are pleased to announce a two-day workshop that will bring together academics, policymakers, and subject-matter experts to present and discuss frontier research in applied economics relevant to developing countries.

Workshop Theme
The aim of the workshop is to encourage overseas-based researchers to present frontier economics research in South Africa, as well as provide a venue for local researchers to engage with this work and present their own. The explicit criteria is work that is expected to be published in top international Economics journals (i.e. top field/disciplinary and general interest journals).

We will also have a session for PhD students at South African universities to present work and receive feedback from participants.

The December Workshop is intended to be a regular annual event, and this year’s workshop builds on a successful trial version held last year.

The programme will include two keynote addresses:

• Taryn Dinkelman (University of Notre Dame; SALDRU)
• Joseph Kaboski (University of Notre Dame; STEG)

Focus Areas
There are no strict subject matter restrictions, but we particularly encourage submissions focusing on Southern Africa, Africa, and other developing regions, in the fields of Labour Economics, Development Economics, and other areas of Applied Microeconomics.

Call for Papers
We invite submissions of papers that align to the workshop’s theme. Full papers are preferred, but extended abstracts are acceptable when they include at least preliminary findings. We particularly encourage submissions which have clear policy implications. The workshop offers a valuable opportunity for researchers to receive feedback and refine their work.

• Submission deadline: 1 September 2025
• Notification of acceptance: 15 September 2025

Funding
International presenters are encouraged to use their university research or conference funding for travel and accommodation. However, limited funding is available for those without sufficient support. Please indicate your funding requirements on the submission form.

For researchers based in South Africa, ERSA will cover travel, two nights’ accommodation, dinner, bed, and breakfast.

Contact
Please direct queries to: joshua.budlender@uct.ac.za and cc fouche.venter@econrsa.org

Workshop conveners:

• Joshua Budlender (SALDRU)
• Ihsaan Bassier (University of Surrey; SALDRU)
• Fouche Venter (ERSA Director)

Scientific committee:

• Joshua Budlender (SALDRU)
• Ihsaan Bassier (University of Surrey; SALDRU)
• Taryn Dinkelman (University of Notre Dame; SALDRU affiliate)
• Susan Godlonton (Williams College; former SALDRU affiliate)
• Steve Koch (ERSA Academic Director)