Sara Lowes Becomes a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar

THE CANADIAN ORGANIZATION FUNDS AND SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONAL EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATORS WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THEIR FIRST ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT

Sara Lowes, Assistant Professor at Bocconi’s Department of Economics, is one of the fifteen 2017 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars. The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research announced “the 2017 cohort of exceptional early career investigators” last week in Toronto. The program “funds and supports researchers within five years of their first academic appointment, helping them build research networks and develop leadership skills”.
 
Prof. Lowes will receive a research fund worth $100,000 CDN (ca. €70,000) and will be part of CIFAR’s research program on Institutions, Organization and Growth for two years, with the opportunity to be mentored by some of the world’s top researchers in the field (the program is directed by University of Stockholm’s Torsten Persson and fellows include the likes of Philippe Aghion and Nobel Laureate George Akerlof).
 
“The CIFAR selection process is quite different from other programs I have applied for in the past”, says Prof. Lowes, referring to the interviews that took place in mid-September. “It is very interactive and brings together applicants across many disciplines. It was a challenging, but interesting interview process, and I feel quite honored to have been chosen among all of the very accomplished candidates”.
 
“One of CIFAR’s highest priorities is to nurture the careers of the next generation of emerging research leaders,” CIFAR President and CEO Dr. Alan Bernstein said announcing the recipients of the scholarships. “The future of research depends on young people, and their energy and innovative thinking is key to developing new approaches for the challenges facing our world today. We are thrilled to provide opportunities for these emerging research leaders”.
 
“The CIFAR program will give me the chance to interact with and get feedback from some of the best scholars in my field. Additionally, CIFAR provides generous research funding that will support my on-going work in development economics in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Another unique aspect of the CIFAR program is the interaction across fields with other global scholars, which is an exciting opportunity to get to know young scholars outside of economics”, concludes Prof. Lowes.
 
Established in 1982, CIFAR is a Canadian-based, global research organization, comprised of nearly 400 fellows, scholars and advisors from more than 130 institutions in 17 countries. CIFAR is supported by the governments of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, Canadian and international partners, as well as individuals, foundations and corporations. The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program is supported by the Azrieli Foundation.
 
Sara Lowes (PhD in Political Economy & Government at Harvard) has been an Assistant Professor at Bocconi’s Department of Economics since September 2017.  Her research interests are at the intersection of development economics, political economy, and economic history.

by Fabio Todesco