Elizabeth Asiedu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Asiedu
Elizabeth Asiedu
Alma mater	University of Ghana, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC)
Scientific career
Fields	Economics
Institutions	Howard University,University of Kansas

Elizabeth Asiedu is a respected professor who teaches economics at Howard University. She is known for her important research on topics like foreign aid, foreign investment, and how gender affects money matters. She also helped start the Association for the Advancement of African Women (AAAWE) and is currently its president. Dr. Asiedu has also worked as an editor for the Journal of African Development.

Learning and Degrees

Elizabeth Asiedu started her higher education at the University of Ghana. In 1988, she earned her first degree in computer science and mathematics. She then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There, she continued her studies, getting a master's degree in mathematics in 1992. She also earned a master's degree in economics in 1994. Finally, she completed her PhD in economics in 1998. A PhD is the highest degree you can get in a field of study.

Her Professional Journey

Since 2021, Dr. Asiedu has been a professor of economics at Howard University. She teaches economics to both undergraduate and graduate students there. Before that, from 2012 to 2021, she was an economics professor at the University of Kansas. At the University of Kansas, she also served as the associate chair and director of graduate studies for the economics department from 2007 to 2009.

Dr. Asiedu is very active in the field of economics. She is on the board of the African Finance Economic Association (AFEA). She was also the president of this organization from 2011 to 2013. Before that, she was the vice president from 2007 to 2010. She also worked as an editor for the Journal of African Development (JAD) between 2017 and 2018. As mentioned, Dr. Asiedu is a founder and the current president of the Association for the Advancement of African Women (AAAWE). She was also on the board of the National Economic Association from 2016 to 2019.

Dr. Asiedu is a member of several important groups, including:

• Global Research Competition Steering Committee, Global Development Network, India (since October 2011)
• Distinguished External Reference Group, The African Capacity Building Foundation, Zimbabwe (since April 2012)
• A four-scholar international panel committee that reviewed The United Nations University/ World Institute of Development and Economic Research (UNU/WIDER), Finland (May 2010-January 2011)

Key Research and Publications

Dr. Asiedu's research often looks at how money and economic factors affect different groups of people. She studies topics like how businesses get loans, the impact of foreign aid, and how global health issues affect investments.

Getting Loans for Small Businesses

In 2012, Dr. Asiedu and her colleagues studied how race, ethnicity, and gender affect whether small businesses can get loans. They found that businesses owned by people of color often had a harder time getting loans. These businesses also sometimes paid higher interest rates than those owned by White men. However, they found that businesses owned by White women did not face the same problems. This research shows that who you are can affect your access to money for your business.

Foreign Aid and Education's Impact

In 2014, Dr. Asiedu explored if foreign aid for education helps countries grow economically. Her study focused on 38 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1990 to 2004. She found that aid for primary education (like elementary school) did help economic growth. This is because it provides resources like books and teacher training. However, aid for secondary education (like high school) did not seem to help growth. She suggested this might be because there aren't enough jobs for secondary school graduates in some areas. It could also be due to a lack of quality education or other resources needed for productive work.

HIV/AIDS and Foreign Investment

In 2015, Dr. Asiedu and her co-authors looked at how HIV/AIDS affects foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sub-Saharan Africa. FDI is when a company from one country invests in a company or project in another country. They studied 41 countries and found that higher rates of HIV/AIDS infection led to less foreign investment. This is because healthy workers are more productive. Companies looking to invest want a healthy workforce. They also noted that the negative effects of HIV/AIDS, like illness and death, can impact overall productivity. Reducing infection rates could encourage more foreign investment and help economic development.

Money Sent Home and Education

Also in 2015, Dr. Asiedu and Kwabena Gyimah-Brempong studied how money sent home by people working abroad, called remittances, affects education in Ghana. They found that when families receive more remittances, they are more likely to invest in their children's education. This is especially true for households led by women. This extra money helps families afford school, which can lead to better opportunities and help reduce poverty in the long run.

Foreign Investment, Resources, and Jobs

In another 2015 paper, Dr. Asiedu and her team examined how foreign direct investment (FDI) and natural resources affect jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa. They looked at the rise of oil production in the region. They found that while FDI can help economic growth, the benefits depend on the type of investment. For example, FDI in manufacturing (making goods) creates more jobs than FDI in industries that extract resources like oil. They also noted that other factors, like the education level in a country, are important for a country to truly benefit from foreign investment.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Elizabeth Asiedu has received many awards for her excellent work in teaching and economics.

• Kemper Teaching Award, 2008, the University of Kansas
• Byron Shutz Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2008, the University of Kansas
• Woman of Distinction Award, 2008, the University of Kansas
• Outstanding Woman Educator Award, 2003, the University of Kansas
• University of Illinois PanHellenic Council Teaching Award, 1996
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowship, 1995-1996
• Emerging Scholar Award, 2007, awarded by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. This is a national award that honors minority faculty in academia.
• Fulbright Specialist Scholar List, November 2008 – Present
• Big XII Fellowship, August 2008-June 2009