CDAPS
Center for Development and Applied Policy Studies
The research agenda of the Center for Development and Applied Policy Studies (CDAPS) is structured around key thematic areas that reflect contemporary governance challenges, development priorities, and institutional needs. The Center’s research is applied, interdisciplinary, and evidence-based, with a strong emphasis on empirical inquiry, analytical rigor, and policy relevance.
CDAPS undertakes systematic analysis of public policies across different sectors and levels of governance. Research in this area focuses on understanding policy formulation processes, implementation mechanisms, and measurable outcomes.
The Center examines how policies are designed, translated into action, and experienced on the ground, with particular attention to institutional capacity, administrative effectiveness, and contextual constraints.
This research area focuses on the structure and functioning of public institutions, administrative systems, and governance frameworks. CDAPS studies how institutional arrangements shape decision-making, accountability, and service delivery outcomes.
Research under this theme addresses issues such as bureaucratic performance, regulatory effectiveness, decentralization, and institutional reform.
A core area of research at CDAPS is the assessment of the real-world impact of public policies, development programs, and institutional interventions. The Center undertakes structured evaluation studies aimed at measuring social, economic, and institutional outcomes.
Research in this area emphasizes the use of appropriate evaluation frameworks, data collection tools, and analytical methods to assess effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of policy interventions.
CDAPS engages in research on development processes and outcomes, with focus on socio-economic transformation, inequality, and structural change. Studies under this theme examine issues related to livelihoods, poverty, social protection, and regional development.
The Center’s work in development studies emphasizes inclusive and sustainable development pathways, grounded in empirical evidence and contextual understanding.
Research in this area focuses on gender dynamics and social inclusion within policy and development frameworks. CDAPS examines how policies and institutions affect women, marginalized communities, and vulnerable groups.
Studies address themes such as women’s economic participation, access to opportunities, social equity, and the distributional impact of public policies.
The political economy research agenda of CDAPS examines the interaction between political institutions, economic processes, and social outcomes. This area focuses on how power structures, interest groups, and institutional incentives influence policy choices and development trajectories.
CDAPS explores the role of technology and digital systems in governance and public administration. Research in this area examines digital governance, technology-enabled service delivery, and the policy implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The Center also studies ethical, regulatory, and institutional challenges associated with the use of technology in public policy and administration.
Across all research areas, CDAPS emphasizes empirical and data-driven inquiry, methodological rigor and transparency, ethical research practices, and policy relevance with institutional applicability.