Conference Information
Date:
May 16–17, 2025
Location:
Moore-Rooker Hall
Stelling Study (A220)
Terry College of Business
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
Questions?
Please contact Laura Zimmermann for more information.
DevSouth is a one-and-a-half-day workshop intended to foster the regional network of development economics based in the South. After two successful years at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Georgia is excited to host this year’s iteration and continue providing a successful catalyst for connecting researchers at different career stages working on a variety of issues central to development economics.
The event will primarily consist of longer presentations on various topics in development economics. There will also be a breakout session, allowing non-presenting participants to get feedback and advice on their work in an informal setting, and networking opportunities during meals and coffee breaks. All meals will be provided and there is no registration fee to attend.
Accommodations
We have a block of 30 rooms available at a reduced rate of $129 per night at the UGA Georgia Center Hotel, which is locked in until 4/14. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the Business School. Check in will be 5/15 and check out will be 5/17. The booking code is 40014. This can be used online or over the phone. Parking is included. Breakfast is not included but will be provided at the workshop on both 5/16 and 5/17.
Transportation
The closet airport to the University of Georgia is the Atlanta airport. The Groome Shuttle runs regularly between the airport and Athens and picks up and drops off at multiple locations in Athens (make sure to specify the location of your choice when making the reservation). If you’re staying at the UGA Georgia Center Hotel, the shuttle can drop you off and pick you up right at the hotel.
Schedule
Thursday, May 15, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:30 p.m. | Optional: Meet in UGA Center Hotel lobby and walk to downtown |
| 6 p.m. | Optional: Informal Get-Together (Pay Your Own Way) Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery (271 W Hancock Avenue), then walk over to Ted’s Most Best (254 W Washington Street) |
Friday, May 16, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8–9 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9–9:15 a.m. | Welcome |
| 9:15–9:50 a.m. | Presentation “Targeting, Personalization, and Engagement in an Agricultural Advisory Service” Speaker — Shanjukta Nath (University of Georgia) |
| 9:50–10:25 a.m. | Presentation “Worker Productivity Impacts of Climate Change Induced Salinization” Speaker — Abu Shonchoy (Florida International University) |
| 10:25–10:45 a.m. | Coffee Break |
| 10:45–11:20 a.m. | Presentation “Long-term Pre-conception Exposure to Local Violence and Infant Health” Speaker — Maria Padilla-Romo (University of Tennessee) |
| 11:20–11:30 a.m. | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | PhD Presentation “Air Pollution and Time Use: Evidence from India” Speaker — Tejendra P. Singh (Georgia State University) Discussant — Areendam Chanda (Louisiana State University) |
| 12:15–1 p.m. | PhD Presentation “Recency Effect of Weather Shocks on Fertilizer Adoption: Evidence from Nigeria” Speaker — Godwin Nutsugah (University of Georgia) Discussant — Daniel Keniston (Louisiana State University) |
| 1–2:15 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:15–3 p.m. | PhD Presentation “International Migration Amid Insurgent Violence” Speaker — Ryan Ellis (Georgia Institute of Technology) Discussant — Ellen McCullough (University of Georgia) |
| 3–3:20 p.m. | Coffee Break |
| 3:20–4:05 p.m. | Presentation “Polling Place Matters: How Voting Location Influences Election Fraud” Speaker — Kelly Lifchez (Georgia Institute of Technology) Discussant — Andrew Dustan (College of William and Mary) |
| 4:05–5:35 p.m. | Breakout Groups |
| 5:45 p.m. | Dinner |
| Option to head downtown for drinks |
Saturday, May 17, 2025
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8–9 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9–9:35 a.m. | Presentation “Poverty Targeting at Scale: Algorithmic vs. Traditional Approaches” Speaker — Raymond Guiteras (North Carolina State University) |
| 9:35–10:10 a.m. | Presentation “The Efficiency Gains from Cash Transfers: Experimental Evidence from Kenya” Speaker — Robert Garlick (Duke University) |
| 10:10–10:30 a.m. | Coffee Break |
| 10:30–11:05 a.m. | Presentation “Discrimination and Access to Capital: A Field Experiment in Ethiopia” Speaker — Ketki Sheth (University of Tennessee) |
| 11:05–11:40 a.m. | Presentation “Stifled by Stigma? Experimental Effects of Updating Husbands’ Beliefs on Participation in Household Work” Speaker — Ellen McCullough (University of Georgia) |
| 11:40 a.m. | Closing Remarks |
| 12:00 p.m. | Boxed Lunch |
2025 Program and Organizing Committee
- Jim Berry, University of Georgia
- Santanu Chatterjee, University of Georgia
- Andrew Dustan, College of William and Mary
- Laura Zimmermann, University of Georgia