The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) is pleased to invite submissions for the 10^th SANEM Annual Economists’ Conference (SAEC) 2027, themed “Driving the Next Decade: Innovation, Inclusion and Economic Transformation.” This prestigious event will take place in Dhaka from 2–4 April 2027. Since its inception in 2016, SAEC has established itself as a vital platform for promoting academic dialogue and knowledge exchange among researchers, academics, development practitioners, and policymakers. Each year, the conference attracts a diverse group of participants dedicated to addressing pressing economic and governance challenges in the South Asian region. With this 10th edition, SAEC marks a decade of convening the region’s economists: since 2016 it has presented around 500 academic papers from 12 countries, with the support of 9 development partners.

The conference has successfully hosted discussions on diverse themes over the years, including: 2016, “Bangladesh: Way towards a Middle Income Country”; 2017, “Managing Growth for Social Inclusion”; 2018, “Leave no one behind in South Asia”; 2019, “Governing New Challenges: Inclusive Development, Trade, and Finance”; 2020, “Institutions for Development”; 2023, “Building Resilience to Shocks: Priorities, Challenges, and Prospects”; 2024, “New Frontiers in Development and Emerging Dynamics”; 2025, “Restoring Stability in the Economic and Political Landscapes: Navigating Fragility to Resilience”; 2026, “Development Challenges and Policy Responses in a Changing World.”

The previous editions of this international conference have brought together eminent economists, policymakers, academicians, researchers, development workers, journalists, and students. The SAEC is enriched by the presentation of extensively researched papers and in-depth panel discussions by various experts, making it a flagship event of SANEM. SAEC has been supported by development partners including The World Bank, International Labour Organization, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Growth Centre (IGC), Australian High Commission, UK International Development, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Development Research Centre, Canada , and has welcomed senior speakers including Dr. Wahiuddin Mahmud, Dr. David Hulme, Prof. Kunal Sen, Prof. Rehman Sobhan, Dr. Jean-Louis Arcand, Ms. Franziska Ohnsorge, Dr. Shantayanan Devarajan, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur.

Call for Papers:

The world is changing rapidly on multiple fronts. Economic, technological, and social forces are converging to redefine how nations grow, compete and organize the factors of production and trade. Technology, innovation, and globalization are transforming economies across the developed and developing world alike. Yet this transformation is not evenly experienced. Global disruptions, whether from trade tensions, technological shifts, financial volatility, or natural hazards, break supply chains, pause the flow of goods, affect market prices, and deepen existing inequalities. These disruptions rarely respect who caused them. Rather, it is often the most vulnerable segments of society who bear the greatest cost, for problems frequently rooted in decisions made elsewhere. This is precisely where inclusion becomes indispensable. The asymmetry that characterizes the costs of disruption extends to the gains of transformation as well. Economic transformation driven by innovation alone, without deliberate attention to who is included in its benefits, risks widening the very inequalities it should be closing. For Bangladesh and South Asia, these concerns are immediate and how they are addressed over the next decade will shape who shares in the region’s growth. With its LDC graduation now deferred to November 2029, Bangladesh has a limited window to prepare for the loss of preferential trade access and deliver on its reform agenda while the 2030 SDG deadline draws closer. Creating jobs for large youth populations, building climate resilience, and mobilizing domestic resources as development aid shrinks are equally pressing across the region. Each of these calls for evidence-based policy choices.

Therefore, it is essential to align innovation with inclusion as the foundation of any genuine economic transformation, so that burdens can be shared and benefits distributed equitably for all.  Considering this, SANEM calls for papers for the 10th SANEM Annual Economists’ Conference (SAEC) 2027 on “Driving the Next Decade: Innovation, Inclusion and Economic Transformation,” scheduled for 2-4 April 2027, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. SAEC 2027 will bring evidence to policymakers and development partners as they set priorities for the next decade.

Broad Theme: Driving the Next Decade: Innovation, Inclusion and Economic Transformation

Conference Themes:

SANEM welcomes papers from academics, final year undergraduate students/Master’s/PhD students majoring in economics or related fields, early career researchers, and practitioners working on the themes outlined below (but not limited to them).

 

1.	Technology, Innovation and the Future of Work	Innovation, Technology and Digital Transformation
		Entrepreneurship, Private Sector Development, and Structural Transformation
		Urbanization, Smart Cities, and Infrastructure Innovation
		Digital Governance and E-Government Innovation
		Fintech, Digital Finance, and Financial Inclusion
		Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Productivity
2.	Inclusive Development, Equity and Role of Institutions	Poverty and Inequality
		Leaving No One Behind
		Social Protection Health, Nutrition and Early Childhood Development
		Role of Governance, Institutions and Public Policy Fiscal Space, Tax Reform and Domestic Resource Mobilization
3.	Macroeconomic Stability, Demographic Dividend and Resilient Growth	Jobs, Skills, Decent Work and Labor Migration
		Trade, LDC Graduation, Logistics and Regional Integration
		Industrial Policy, Development, and Investment Diversification
		Agriculture and Food Security
		Financial Market and Banking Sector
		Inflation, Supply Chains and Cost of Living
4.	Climate, Sustainability and Green Economy	Energy Security and Green Growth Just Transition and Green Jobs Climate Finance and Adaptation
		Environment and Sustainable Climate Solutions
		Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction

The conference committee welcomes papers related to the themes above, based on any specific country or cross-country experiences. However, papers that are closely aligned with the conference theme are also encouraged for submission. Both applied and theoretical papers that meet high standards of methodological rigor are invited. Any reproduction/extension of a previous study is eligible for submission. However, for pre-published papers, the publishers’ consent should be obtained. Papers with clear policy implications for South Asia are particularly encouraged. Thematic and policy sessions will be organized in collaboration with development partners.

Conference Outputs:

Selected papers will be featured in the conference proceedings and/or a synthesis report highlighting key findings and policy messages.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Deadline for extended abstract submission: December 31, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: January 20, 2027
• Paper submission deadline: March 15, 2027
• Presentation submission: March 25, 2027
• Conference: April 2–4, 2027

Format for Abstract Submission:

An extended abstract clearly outlining the objective, a brief description of the methodology and  research findings (with at least some preliminary/expected findings) must be submitted along with a short bio of the presenter (up to 150 words) in the submission form. The extended abstract should also include a short “policy relevance” section. Interested researchers are requested to fill out the submission form https://forms.gle/m9AsYe3Vog16Gc5f9 by the abstract submission deadline. For reporting purposes, the form will also collect applicants’ gender, country, institution type, career stage, and the theme addressed by the paper.

Eligibility for Paper Submission:

People engaged in academic, economic research, and policy advocacy with an educational background in economics or related fields are encouraged to submit their research work. Master’s/final-year undergraduate majoring in economics or related fields are also encouraged to submit their papers. Submissions are particularly encouraged from women researchers, early-career researchers, researchers from under-represented South Asian countries, and government officials and practitioners.

Travel Grants for International Paper Presenters:

Travel grants, supported by SANEM’s development partners, will be available to a limited number of international paper presenters, with priority given to women and early-career researchers from South Asia. Grants will cover accommodation and local hospitality in Dhaka. In the case of multiple authors, only the author designated to present will receive a travel grant.

Conference Convener:

Dr. Selim Raihan

Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Executive Director, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM)

Organizing Committee:

• Mr. Mahtab Uddin, Research Director, SANEM
• Mr. Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM
• Mr. Sk Ashibur Rahman, Deputy Director (Admin), SANEM
• Mr. Takrem Ferdous Surid, Programme Analyst, SANEM
• Ms. Dipa Das, Senior Research Associate, SANEM
• Ms. Shafa Tasneem, Senior Research Associate, SANEM

Partnership Opportunities:

SANEM welcomes development partners to co-host thematic sessions, policy roundtables, and report launches during the conference. Partners interested in collaborating are invited to contact Mr. Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM, at zubayer.hossen@sanemnet.org.

Contact:

SANEM, Flat A-3, House 10, Road 90, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh

Phone: +88 02 58813075

Mobile/WhatsApp: +8801708-523454

For any further information, please write to comms@sanemnet.org

 

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