Research Programs

The objectives of SCID’s research programs set them apart from research programs that exist in other universities and centers. Our goal is to use the highest quality of academic research to inform economic policies in developing countries and to improve the effectiveness of these policies. SCID recognizes that this requires not just high-quality, policy-oriented research; it also requires dissemination of the results of this research to policymakers. More than other centers, SCID devotes extraordinary effort to ensuring that the results of its research are heard by policymakers, and by those who are best placed to influence economic decision making in these developing countries. Recognizing the importance of business leaders to economy, SCID has forged a successful and unique alliance between researchers, policymakers and business leaders from China, India, and Latin America, Caribbean and the United States. Our researchers have worked diligently to enhance the dialogue between these groups and to bring them together to debate economic reforms.

With its focus on research and dissemination, SCID nevertheless remains grounded in the core business of the University: education. SCID scholars disseminate the results of their research to Stanford students through courses taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The growth of SCID’s research programs has also made it possible to engage an ever-increasing list of both graduate and undergraduate students in research on developing economies.

Research Dissemination

Within the Stanford community, SCID's research activities provide the material for lectures to the public, and research seminars and workshops for faculty and graduate students. Key elements of SCID dissemination are: collaboration, conferences, policy change, and publication, discussed below.

Collaboration

SCID faculty conduct research in collaboration with faculty from Stanford University at large, as well as from other universities. Reaching out to the broader community, SCID organizes conferences and disseminates research findings through its working paper series. Aiming to equip and encourage a new generation of policy researchers, SCID also offers graduate students opportunities for informal discussion of research ideas and for involvement in faculty and visitor research.

Conferences

Policy research leading to dissemination through conferences is SCID's major means of dissemination. Conferences are designed to foster understanding of economic development in several ways:

• research findings and conversations at the conferences have an impact on policy reform
• the synergy of several scholars with similar interests can stimulate each others' research and provide an exciting environment for scholars
• Stanford and SCID provide an attractive venue to host visitors (policymakers and researchers) with whom SCID scholars can interact
• the education of students will improve research and policy analysis in future years

Policy Change

Among specific contributions through the India Program, for example, SCID can claim its research has affected policy change in small-scale reservation and in telecommunications.

Publication

After each conference, a conference volume is published and distributed widely, and the papers are posted on SCID's website for the additional use of policymakers and researchers.