Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Forty years of teachng and research in development studies, including into the following: theory, rural livelihoods, financial services, public policy, NGOs, wellbeing measurement, evaluation and research methods. Experience of conducting research principally in Bolivia, Ethiopia, India, Malawi, Peru, South Africa, UK and Zambia. I am NOT currently accepting new PhD students.
Related links
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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TAP-SAT: Economic prospects, trust and governance in South African townships
Copestake, J. (PI) & Charles, A. (CoI)
Economic and Social Research Council
1/01/25 → 31/12/27
Project: Research council
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The Future of the Sustainable Development Goals
Sun, Y. (PI), Bloomfield, M. J. (CoI), Charles, A. (CoI) & Copestake, J. (CoI)
1/03/23 → 31/07/23
Project: Other
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Qualitative Impact Protocol for Social Impact Investment
Copestake, J. (PI) & Nino-Zarazua, M. (Researcher)
Economic and Social Research Council
1/12/15 → 31/03/16
Project: Research council
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KTP with Oxford Policy Management Limited (2)
Johnson, S. (PI), Copestake, J. (CoI) & Vujić, S. (CoI)
Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect
6/03/14 → 5/03/16
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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Beyond Financial Market Dualism: An Empirical Analysis of Variations in Use of Financial Services in South Africa
Tshaka, M., Simatele, M. & Copestake, J., 7 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Risk and Financial Management. 19, 1, 47.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Anticipatory evaluation: Keynote address to the 2024 Australian Evaluation Society conference
Copestake, J., 31 Mar 2025, In: Evaluation Journal of Australasia. 25, 1, p. 9-22 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (SciVal) -
Informal finance and its regulation: a comparison of South Africa and Zambia
Tshaka, M., Copestake, J. & Simatele, M., 9 Dec 2025, In: Administrative Sciences. 15, 12, 480.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Mixed methods impact evaluation in international development practice: distinguishing between quant-led and qual-led models
Copestake, J., 31 Dec 2025, In: Journal of Development Effectiveness. 17, 1, p. 1-20 32 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Qualitative causal mapping in evaluations
Remnant, F., Copestake, J., Powell, S. & Channon, M., 29 Jul 2025, Handbook of Health Services Evaluation: Theories, Methods and Innovative Practices. Kaehne, A. & Feather, J. (eds.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer, p. 207-227 21 p.Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
Datasets
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Impact assessment in complex contexts of rural livelihood transformations in Africa. Part 1- Longitudinal household income data
Copestake, J. (Creator), Allan, C. (Contributor), Thomas, E. (Contributor), Ellis, W. (Contributor) & Petty, C. (Contributor), UK Data Service, 4 Feb 2016
Dataset
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Impact assessment in complex contexts of rural livelihood transformations in Africa. Part 2- Interview data
Copestake, J. (Creator), Remnant, F. (Contributor), Allan, C. (Contributor) & Thomas, E. (Contributor), UK Data Service, 4 Feb 2016
Dataset
Activities
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Basic Income Earth Network Congress 2024
Copestake, J. (Speaker)
30 Aug 2024Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Conference presentation / attendance
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Australian Evaluation Society Conference 2024
Copestake, J. (Speaker)
19 Sept 2024Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk
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Australian Evaluation Society Conference
Copestake, J. (Speaker)
19 Sept 2024Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk
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Producing policy-relevant evidence to address global challenges: Innovative methodological approaches and practical tips
Charles, A. (Speaker), Copestake, J. (Speaker) & Sari, V. (Speaker)
13 Feb 2025Activity: Public, Community and School Engagement › Public talk, lecture, debate, seminar, workshop
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Australian Evaluation Society Conference
Copestake, J. (Speaker)
19 Sept 2024Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk