Personal profile

Research interests

A development economist interested in welfare analysis and policy evaluation in developing countries. Current research focuses on poverty and the distributional impacts of global challenges, such as pandemics and climate change, and the role of welfare policies in mitigating the adverse impacts. She has worked with international organizations and governments to support evidence-based policymaking, particularly in Southeast Asia.

My research primarily focuses on the use of advanced econometrics and causal identification techniques to assess social progress and the impacts of government social policy in developing country context. I have extensive experience conducting large-scale surveys and employing mixed-method approaches.

Teaching interests

My teaching have focused on welfare analysis and measurement, as well as the role of social policy in mitigating adverse impacts of global challenges including disruptive technology, COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change. I have also experienced teaching policy evaluation methods to academic and non-academic audience.

Previously, I have teached at UK HEIs including the University of Manchester, University College London, and more recently at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences. At the Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath, I currently serve as a Unit Covenor for the following courses:
- SP30278 Development Finance
- SP50330 Global Political Economy
- SP30307 Global Inequality: Economic and Political Perspectives

My office hours for AY 2024/25 S1 is on Fridays, 3.15-5.15pm, at 3E 3.38. You can book my office hours here.

Willing to supervise doctoral students

I am open to supervising prospective PhD or postgraduate research (PGR) students interested in quantitative and/or mixed-method research, particularly in the following areas:

  • Welfare analysis and measurement (e.g., using satellite imagery and machine learning, combining administrative and survey data to reduce measurement errors)
  • Distributional impacts of climate change and related policies (e.g., the effects of carbon taxes on poverty and inequality, adaptive social protection)
  • Evaluation of government social policies (especially in the context of cash transfers and social insurance, its impacts on the non-monetary welfare aspects such as education and healthcare access)

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):

  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

Development Economics and Policy, Doctor of Philosophy, Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester

Oct 2014Oct 2018

Development Economics and Policy, Master of Social Science, Global Development Institute, The University of Manchester

Sept 2011Aug 2012

Economics, Bachelor of Economics and Finance, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Dec 2007Aug 2011

External positions

Fellow in Social Policy, London School of Economics

Sept 2023Aug 2024

Research Fellow in Economic Policy, University College London

Jul 2022Aug 2023

Economist, The World Bank

Jan 2019Jun 2022

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Virgi Sari is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

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