Child, Travers Barclay
Major: Economics / Finance
Associate Professor
Dr. Travers Barclay Child completed his PhD in Development Economics at VU Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute, in the Netherlands. One strand of his research examines the impact of development aid in challenging operational environments, for which he spent time in Kabul, Afghanistan, interviewing relevant stakeholders. Another strand of his research is focused on political economy of finance. Presently he is devoted to anti-human trafficking research initiatives, as well as exploring the implications of Generative AI for development. Since 2019, he has taught artificial intelligence to management professionals and executives. His research has been published in leading journals of economics, finance, and international relations (including Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Corporate Finance, and Journal of Conflict Resolution).
CONTACT INFORMATION
- mail t.b.child@skku.edu
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location
International Hall 4F 90411
Publications
- Child, T. B. (2026). Aid fragmentation and corruption. Review of Economics and Statistics, 108(3).
Research Summary
- [Economics] Travers Barclay Child - Aid Fragmentation and Corruption
- Abstract<br /> <br /> Aid fragmentation—the simultaneous operation of multiple development agencies in one setting—has long raised concerns about coordination challenges and opportunities for corruption. Leveraging unique data on project delivery in Afghanistan, we present the first microlevel empirical analysis of aid fragmentation. We find that aid delivered by a single donor can significantly reduce corruption. Projects delivered under conditions of aid fragmentation, by contrast, can facilitate corruption. We find evidence for a theoretical mechanism linking infrastructure and physical goods with waste and leakage. Our results clarify the policy losses tied to fragmentation, yielding insights for combating misappropriation of aid.
Afghanistan , Aid , Corruption
Awards & Honors
No awards registered.
ADDITIONAL INFOMATION