FORTY YEARS OF THE CSAE
The CSAE celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Beginning as a Unit in 1986 with a small group in Oxford, a few years later, in 1989, the group applied for designation as an ESRC Research Centre and was awarded the grant. It was a remarkable achievement, particularly at a moment when development economics attracted very limited institutional funding. The award transformed the original unit into the Centre for the Study of African Economies and gave it the platform to build something enduring.
Explore the origins of the Centre, our work on capacity building and fostering collaborations in Africa, and examples of our world leading research below.
ORIGINS
The Early Days of the CSAE
Co-Founder Jan Willem Gunning looks back at to the beginnings of the CSAE.
The Founders Discuss the Early Years
Research on Africa and the Role of the Centre in the 1980s and 1990s.
Video from 1:30:00 to 2:50:00.
CSAE Director's Introduction
Stefan Dercon discusses the history of the CSAE and his involvement.
COLLABORATIONS AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Addis Ababa University and the CSAE
For more than three decades, the relationship between the CSAE and Addis Ababa University has helped shape graduate economics training and empirical research in Ethiopia.
The AERC and the CSAE
For much of CSAE’s history, one of its most important and enduring relationships has been with the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).
WORLD LEADING RESEARCH
Improving Institutions for Growth (IIG)
Established in 2007, IIG was a major international research programme led through the CSAE.
Global Poverty Research Group (GPRG)
The GPRG was established in 2002 to deepen understanding of poverty, inequality, and quality of life through interdisciplinary research.
VOICES
From Research Officers to Professors
We spoke with Christopher Adam and Pramila Krishnan, who joined CSAE in 1992 as Research Officers (now known as Postdoctoral Researchers). Both are currently Professors of Economic Development at the Oxford Department of International Development.
Where are they now?
We spoke with David Fielding, Ritva Reinikka and Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse, three of the earliest DPhil students at CSAE, about their time at the Centre and the lasting impact it had on their careers.
Hear from former and current members
A large part of the programme of the CSAE 40th Anniversary event in June 2026 was hearing from current and former students and staff of the CSAE.
Video from 03:16:00 onwards.
PEOPLE AT THE HELM
Since its founding in 1986, CSAE has been shaped by a dedicated team of academics and professional services staff who have steered the Centre over the last forty years. While it is not possible to recognise everyone who has contributed to the Centre’s story across four decades, we wanted to acknowledge the individuals whose leadership has helped guide CSAE through its development and growth.
CO-FOUNDERS
Paul Collier, Davis Bevan, Jan Willem Gunning, John Knight
DIRECTORS
Paul Collier (1986-1998, 2003-2013), Jan Willem Gunning (1998-2013), John Toye (2013-2016), Stefan Dercon (2015 to present)
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
Francis Teal (1996-2012), Marcel Fafchamps (1999-2013), James Fenske (2013-2016), Simon Quinn (2013-2023)
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Stefano Caria (2025 to present)
LEAD ADMINISTRATORS
Sarah Smith, Pip Bevan, Liz Welsh, Rose Page
Current Management Team
CELEBRATIONS
