Personal profile I am a results-driven innovative professional aspiring for a progressive career in academia and research. I am highly competent and dependable with an established reputation in teaching, supervising research students. Additionally, I am actively engaged in academic research and have authored a book on Research Methods and more recently a paper on innovation and institutions with Research Policy. I am an excellent communicator with strong speaking skills, writing, research and analytical skills. Furthermore, I am highly competent in carrying out research and writing articles for publication. I desire to take part in projects that expose me to new international and multicultural environments that will give me an opportunity to utilize my skills, apply my academic knowledge and research that leads to both personal and organizational growth. Education PhD in Economics Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands 2014 to date I am studying innovation behaviour of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in developing countries using data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and the Innovation Follow-up Survey. The main objective of my research is to find out how the business and investment climate impact firm-level innovation in terms of product innovation involving the introduction new goods/services or the significant improvement of existing goods/services. 2005-2008 Master of Arts in Economics University of Nairobi, Kenya 2005-2007 Certified Public Accountant Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board 1998 2002 Bachelors of Arts in Economics Moi University, Kenya 1
Skills Research skills: I am able to source for raw data from the field, evaluate and present the findings. I also have experience in teaching and supervising research students. Data Analysis: I have the ability to manage, inspect, estimate data using SPSS and Stata. I also have the ability to interpret data and discover useful information to make recommendations in a bid to support decision making and policy making. Information and Communications Technology Skills: I am proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite. I am also conversant with the use of Turnitin and Blackboard. Communication Skills: I am able to convey information patiently; I can give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Analytical Skills: I have the ability to recognize areas of weaknesses requiring improvements and makes recommendations to the management for consideration, approval and implementation. Flexibility and Adaptability: I am a flexible team player who thrives in environments that require ability to prioritize tasks. I am also very positive, resilient and open to new ideas. Innovative Problem Solving and Decision Making: I have the ability to analyze and define a problem, evaluate alternatives, find innovative solutions and understand how to implement them. Team player: I am a reliable, active participant and enjoy working in a team setting. Work Experience 17 th February 2016 Radboud University Nijmegen Guest lecturer Topic: Institutions, resources and innovation in developing countries Course: Innovation in emerging markets Audience: Master of International Management students 2013 to date University of Nairobi, Kenya Position: Full time lecturer - School of Economics Teaching and supervision responsibilities: Bachelor of Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, Econometrics. Master of Business Administration: Financial Econometrics. Supervision of Bachelor and Master research projects. Mentoring and guiding students. 2011-2012 Kenya Methodist University Position: Full time lecturer - Department of Economics and Applied Statistics Teaching and supervision responsibilities: Bachelor of Business Administration: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Statistics. Master of Business Administration: Managerial Economics. Supervision of Bachelor and Master research projects. Mentoring and guiding statistics. 2
14.05.2014 20.05.2014 Researcher Project: Co-ordinated country case studies: Innovation and growth, raising productivity in developing countries research program, funded by UK s Department for International Development (DFID). Preparation of innovation country fiche report for Kenya. 20.04.2015 28.04.2015 Interview-based fieldwork Project: Co-ordinated country case studies: Innovation and growth, raising productivity in developing countries research program, funded by DFID. Qualitative research on innovation in manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Kenya. 14.12.2015 24.12.2015 Fieldwork co-ordination Project: Breaking the vicious cycle between poverty and ill-health: Are cash transfers and social health protection policies in Ghana and Kenya mutually complementing? Funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. Overseeing data collection in West Pokot County, Kenya Transcription of interviews Publications Books Oladipo, R., Ikimari, L., Kiplang at, J., & Barasa, L. (2015). General research methods. Nairobi: Oxford University Press East Africa Limited. Book chapters Barasa, Laura. (2013). Policy initiatives to promote women s access to higher education in Kenya. In C. Sehoole, & J. Knight ed., Internationalization of African Higher Education - Towards Achieving the MDG's (pp. 93-113). Rotterdam: Sense Publishers. Journal articles Barasa, L., Kimuyu, P., Vermeulen, P., Knoben, J., & Kinyanjui, B. (2017). Institutions, resources and innovation in developing countries: A firm level approach. Research Policy, 46(2017), 280-291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2016.11.008. Manuscripts in preparation Barasa, L., Kimuyu, P., Vermeulen, P., Knoben, J., & Kinyanjui, B. (Under Review). The bi-directional relation between innovation and exporting: The case of mediation effects from market creation 3
and customer feedback in sub-saharan Africa. Technovation. Barasa, L., Kimuyu, P., Vermeulen, P., Knoben, J., & Kinyanjui, B. (Under Review). Innovation and efficiency in manufacturing firms in developing countries. Industry and Innovation. Barasa, L. (Under Review). Corruption, transaction costs and innovation in Africa. African Economic Research Consortium. Conference Papers and Presentations Barasa, L. (2016, December). Corruption, transaction costs and innovation in Africa. Paper presented at African Economic Research Consortium Bi-annual at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar, Senegal. Barasa, L. (2015, February). Institutions, resources and innovation in developing countries: A firm level approach. Paper presented at the Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. Barasa, L. (2012, March). Transforming our way of living, development pathways under global environmental change. Poster presentation at International Convention Centre (ICC), Excel, London. Barasa, L. (2010, February). ICT & teacher quality in a knowledge-based economy. Paper presented at the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), Nairobi, Kenya. Academic Honors and Awards Partnership for Economic Policy Grant, $20,000 African Economic Research Consortium Grant, $12500. Radboud University Nijmegen PhD scholarship granted under Co-ordinated country case studies: Innovation and growth, raising productivity in developing countries research program, funded by DFID April 2014. African Network for Internationalization of Education Grant (Moi University), $2000. Areas of research interest Innovation Agriculture Education Poverty Personal details Date of birth: 1 st February, 1980 Gender: Female Nationality: Kenyan 4
Referees Prof. Damiano Kulundu Manager, Thematic Research African Economic Research Consortium P. O. Box 62882-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Email: Damiano.Manda@aercafrica.org Dr. Anthony Wambugu Director, School of Economics University of Nairobi P. O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi Kenya Email: anthony.wambugu@uonbi.ac.ke Dr. Elizabeth Owiti University of Nairobi P. O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi Kenya Email: eowiti@uonbi.ac.ke 5