Call for papers
Thrive, on behalf of Oxford Policy Management (OPM) and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), is hosting an international interdisciplinary conference on the topic of scaling early childhood development (ECD) programmes and policies in low-and middle -income (LMIC) countries.
Thrive is a multi-country research programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) that aims to support countries in turning what we know about positive ECD into practical, scalable programmes.
Conference focus
This conference will focus on papers that inform implementation of ECD policies and programmes in LMIC. There are 4 main areas of focus; papers outside of these areas may also be considered as long as they are relevant to the overall focus on scaling ECD.
What works – Innovative ECD approaches with potential for scale
Papers on 1) developing and testing ECD innovations with potential for scale in LMIC settings, and 2) that increase understanding of the process of early childhood development in LMIC settings.
Implementation at scale – Transitioning to large-scale interventions
Papers that focus on implementation of ECD interventions at scale and provide evidence to inform a successful transition of ECD programmes to scale.
Equity and inclusion – how to make sure scaling is equitable and inclusive
Papers that contribute evidence on how to ensure gender equity, access for marginalised and disadvantaged groups, caregiver empowerment and father engagement in ECD at scale.
Measurement and assessment at scale
Finally, we welcome papers that inform ECD measurement and assessment at scale in LMIC settings. This includes for example innovation in measures of child development and/or validation of existing measures in new settings.
We invite submissions of high-quality academic research papers from the Thrive focus countries (Ghana, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone and Kiribati) and other LMIC settings.
Submissions
Extended abstracts 800-1000 words (maximum 1000) should be submitted via this form or by email at Thriveconference@opml.co.uk. Abstracts must include background and justification, aims/objectives, methods, results and conclusions/implications. Abstracts without sufficient details of results will not be accepted. A maximum of 2 tables may be included and will not contribute to word count. The reference list will also not contribute to the word count.
Please indicate on your submission which of the 4 main areas of focus your paper is most relevant. If outside of these areas please provide a brief statement on relevance to the overall conference theme.
There is no fee to attend the conference. Grants will be available for travel and accommodation for those whose paper has been accepted and who do not have access to institutional research funds.
Deadline: We are accepting responses until 31 January 2025.
Notifications of acceptances:
Notifications of acceptance will be circulated by 28 March 2025. The conference will use a variety of presentation modalities (presentations varying in length, poster presentations, etc.). Successful applicants will be notified about the type of presentation their paper is selected for.
Plenary Speakers:
Lia Fernald (Professor of Community Health Sciences, Brian and Jennifer Maxwell Endowed Chair in Public Health, University of California, Berkeley)
Mark Tomlinson (Professor, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University)
Florencia Lopez–Boo (Director, Global Ties, NYU)
Mushfiq Mobarak (Professor of Economics, Yale University)
Joan Lombardi (Adjunct Professor and Senior Advisor, Stanford Center on Early Childhood)
Dr. Joseph Agbenyega (Associate Professor in the Counseling, Special Education and Neuroscience Division at Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE))
Organising Committee:
Conference Chair
Sonya Krutikova (University of Manchester and Institute for Fiscal Studies, UK)
Committee members
Ingvild Almas (IIES/Stockholm University, Sweden and FAIR/Norwegian School of Economics, Norway)
Jophus Anamuah-Mensah (University of Education, Winneba, Ghana)
Bet Caeyers (Chr. Michelsen Institute and FAIR/Norwegian School of Economics, Norway)
Imran Rasul (University College London and Institute for Fiscal Studies, UK)
Susan Walker (University of West Indies, Jamaica)