Three weeks ago, we had the pleasure of co-hosting the 6th edition of WiE Inspire, together with The Women in Economics Initiative and Fachschaft VWL der Universität Bonn. In this format, we invite accomplished women with a background in economics to share their work and experiences, aiming to inspire the next generation of economists.
This year’s session spotlighted career journeys and impact in development economics, featuring two truly inspiring speakers:
Dr Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu (Senior Researcher, ZEF, University of Bonn) offered insights into her work on sustainable development, agricultural economics, and impact evaluation, drawing on experience from projects funded by IFAD, BMZ, the EU, and more.
Dr Wiebke Stein (Head of Section Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, DAAD) shared a perspective from the intersection of research and policy, reflecting on her career path through the World Bank, DEval, and DAAD.
What made the evening especially meaningful was the speakers’ openness in sharing their personal experiences and motivations – from what to consider when pursuing a PhD in development economics and the pros and cons of working in state-funded, international organizations to what inspires them in their daily work.
The exchange continued informally over drinks and nibbles in the Lounge, where guests and speakers could connect in a relaxed atmosphere.
A big thank you to our moderators Lilly Fischer and Luzie Reitler for steering the discussion with such thoughtfulness, and to Cornelia Wolff (Fachschaft), Lena Maria Michaelis (WiE & Alumniverein), and the whole team for the smooth organization behind the scenes.
We’re already looking forward to the next edition and to continuing to celebrate and learn from inspiring women in economics!