The School of Economics and Finance houses a diverse group of active researchers, who explore a range of topical, policy-relevant, and socially important questions using innovative methods of analysis. The division is distinguished by its strong focus on health economics, the economics of gender, heterodox approaches to the economy, the economics of the environment, international finance, and the behaviour of firms.
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The Macro-Financial Analysis Research Group consists of experienced and emerging researchers. The research team, with its diverse focus areas, has made significant contributions to the understanding of the interlinkages between the macroeconomy and financial markets. Our main areas of focus include Financial Economics, Risk and Insurance, Financial Stability, Forecasting, Exchanges Rates, Commodities, International Finance, Macroprudential Policies, Business Cycles, Monetary Economics, and Fiscal Policy. |
Published Examples:Alovokpinhou, S.A. & Malikane, C. 2024. The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, 72(2024):102146. Alovokpinhou, S.A., Dladla, P., & Malikane, C. 2024. Applied Economics Letters, 31(1):31-39. Fasanya, I.O. & Makanda, S. 2024. Science Direct, 95(2024):105195. Fasanya, I.O. & Mubaiwa, D. 2024. South Africa Investment Analysts Journal, 53(2):89-101. Fasanya, I.O. & Oyewole, O. 2024. Investment Analysts Journal, 52(4):281-296. Machokoto, M. & Sikochi, A. 2024. Economics Letters, 241(2024):111837. Malikane, C. 2024. . Oxford Economic Papers, 76(3):780-796. |
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The Environment and Energy Economics research theme has strong links with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Research in these areas adopts an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex interactions existing among the economy, environment, and society to provide evidence-based research to inform public and private policies on the effects of the environment and natural resources on economies and societies. |
Publication Examples:Adetutu, M.O., Odusanya, K.A., Rasciute, S., & Stathopoulou, E. 2024. Risk Analysis, 44(2024):1731-1976. Adetutu, M.O. & Rasciute, S. 2024. Economics Letters, 237(2024):111648. Koch, S.F., Nkuna, B., & Ye, Y. 2024. Energy Economics, 131(2024):107405. |
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The Institutions and Political Economy Group is a research programme in the School of Economics and Finance that promotes the study of relationships among institutions, organisations, and markets through the simple principles of economic reasoning. We apply the insights generated by institutional, organisational, political, and public economics to issues about economic performance through time. |
Published Examples:Garzarelli, G., Keeton, L., & Sitoe, A.A. (2023). Garzarelli, G., Keeton, L. & Sitoe, A.A. (2022). . European Journal of Law Economics, 54, 5–36. |
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SEF’s research in Human Development and Wellbeing is especially distinguished by its focus on gender dynamics. Scholars investigate gender disparities in employment, earnings, wealth, poverty, health, and wellbeing - with a strong emphasis on post-COVID shifts. This research extends to household and family structures, analysing how resources, care, and wellbeing are distributed within homes, as well as trends in household composition, maternal and child nutrition, and early childhood development. |
Publication Examples:Badaoui, E., Bargain, O., Kwenda-Magejo, P., Strobl, E., & Walsh, F. 2024. Journal of International Development, 36(2):1293-1323. Casale, D. & Oyenubi, A. 2024. South African Journal of Economics, 92(1):80-92. Desmond, C., Watt, K., Naicker, S., Behrman, J., & Richter, L. 2024. Development Policy Review, 42(1):e12738. Desmond, C., Watt, K., Rudgard, W.E., Sherr, L., & Cluver, L. 2024. Health Policy and Planning, 39(2):168-177. Erzse, A., Desmond, C., Hofman, K., Barker, M., & Christofides, N.J. 2024. Global Public Health, 19(1):2329986. Oyenubi, A. 2024. Development Southern Africa, 41(1):183-206. Oyenubi, A. & Mosomi, J. 2024. Economic Analysis and Policy, 81(2024):576-590. Posel, D., Kutela, D., Casale, D., & Oyenubi, A. 2024. Feminist Economics, 30(1):106-133. Smith, A., Leach, G., & Rossouw L. 2024. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 16(1):a4192. |
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Finance, Innovation & FinTech SEF researchers explore how digital tools and innovation are reshaping finance, especially in emerging markets. The focus is on FinTech, financial inclusion, and behavioural finance, with strong ties to policy, industry, and academic partners. Research also addresses the real-world impact of technological change in financial systems, from digital payments to algorithmic trading, generating insights that help build more inclusive and efficient economies. |
Published Examples:Caglayan, M. & Machokoto, M. 2024. Research in International Business and Finance, 67(2024):102099. Krishnan, J., Bhattacharjee, B., Pratap, M., Yadav, J.K., & Maiti, M. 2024. Data Science and Management, 7(3):228-237. Machokoto, M. 2024. Economics Letters, 234(2024):111509. Machokoto, M. & Omotilewa, O.J. 2024. Economics Letters, 236(2024):111613. Maiti, M., & Kayal, P. 2024. Journal of Safety Science and Resilience, 5(2):147-155. Naidu, D.D. 2024. Afro-Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 14(1):83-99. Nyakurukwa, K. & Seetharam, Y. 2024a. Review of Behavioral Finance, 16(1):186-201. Nyakurukwa, K. & Seetharam, Y. 2024c. Heliyon, 10(9):e30211. Rajendran, H., Kayal, P., & Maiti, M. 2024. Global Business Review. Varshini, A., Kayal, P., & Maiti, M. 2024. Resources Policy, 92(2024):105040. |
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