2021/22 Competition

About The Competition

The 2021/22 Policy Research Competition offers you a chance to apply your passion for developing markets and share your unique insights in an academic essay. 

Winners of the Competition will be invited to an exclusive work experience programme in the Summer of 2022 at one of our partner firms, along with a chance to have their essay published in a leading academic journal.

Details

Entrants must submit a 1,500 to 3000-word essay on one of the following topics by 26th March 2022.

Themes and Questions

Theme 1: Healthcare
COVID-19 has raised multiple questions on the lack of capacity of countries’ healthcare systems to fight this global pandemic. With an increased focus on the need for robust public health systems, it is necessary for governments to invest more in this sector. How has COVID-19 reshaped global healthcare in developing countries? How will increased investments in healthcare promote economic development in these countries?

Theme 2: Debt Crises
We are on the verge of an emerging market debt crisis as the global economy emerges from the coronavirus pandemic and interest rates rise, drawing capital away from vulnerable countries, the head of the IMF has warned. What are the wider implications of a debt crisis in developing markets, and how will this contribute to the divergence in development from the world’s largest economies? Evaluate the use of foregin aid and debt relief to boost growth in developing markets. 

Theme 3: Rising Inequality
Emerging markets and developing economies grew consistently in the two decades before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, allowing for much-needed gains in reducing inequality . The crisis now puts much of that progress at risk. What are the implications of rising inequality in developing markets, and why does this need to be tackled? How has COVID-19 exacerbated rising inequality in developing markets, and what can be done to reverse this trend?

Prizes

The winner will receive:

  • Opportunity for a 3-month paid work experience at Bridge India or its partner firms
  • Copy of Member-only Substack newsletters (May to August editions)
  • Signed copy of  Redesigning The World: A Global Call To Action, by Sam Pitroda  & We The People: Establishing Rights and Deepening Democracy, Penguin India
  • Published Essay on social media platforms of LSESU Developing Markets Society & Bridge India

The runners up will receive:

  • Opportunity for a 3-month paid work experience at Bridge India or its partner firms
  • Copy of Bridge India’s Member-only Substack newsletters (May to August editions)
  • Published Essay on social media platforms of LSESU Developing Markets Society

Eligibility

Entrants should fit all the criteria below:

  • In any year of study 
  • On an undergraduate/postgraduate/general course
  • Normally reside or are studying in the UK

Guidelines

All the guidelines regarding format of the essay, word limit and terms & conditions have been further clarified here.

Submission

We’re now accepting submissions. Here’s the submission form.

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