Who We Are
SCID is a center within the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) which focuses on international trade and development. Faculty at the Stanford Center for International Development (SCID) focus their research on economic policies in developing and transition countries. They work to advise and influence the international economic system by working with policy makers. The center was founded in 1997 and is led by Nicholas Hope. At present, SCID has programs on China, India, Latin America and Caribbean, and International Economics. The center also sponsors research projects, conferences, and seminars that explore economic policy topics in international and development economics.
Our Mission
The Stanford Center for International Development (SCID) strives to accelerate economic development by supporting research designed to improve the quality of policymaking in emerging economies. After identifying opportunities for more effective public policies in these countries, SCID scholars conduct research that will engage policymakers, scholars, and other stakeholders to debate issues and to promote the implementation of economic policy changes that will boost a country’s economic growth. To achieve its mission, SCID:
• Funds research related to issues involved in international development and growth
• Organizes conferences, seminars, and workshops to discuss and disseminate research findings to policymakers and others who can implement policy changes
• Supports visitor programs that invite eminent academics, senior policymakers, and others who can act as catalysts for improved policies, providing them with opportunities to exchange views with Stanford’s own scholars and to enrich the learning environment for Stanford’s students
• Enables students to experience internships and fellowship programs that give them opportunities to conduct field research in developing economies
• Educates the broader Stanford and Bay Area communities about the important international and Development issues of our era
What We Do
One of four research centers within the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), SCID complements the work of the other centers. SCID does this by bringing in the international economic research perspective—through its efforts regarding emerging economies and those transitioning from command to market systems. As with all of SIEPR, the intention is to ensure that research evaluates the impact of key policies and recommends changes to those policymakers who can promote economic growth.
SCID’s activities cover three specific geographic regions in addition to topical areas of research applicable to all developing economies. Its active regional programs concentrate on China, India, and Latin America. The center may add other regions (Africa, the Middle East) if resource availability permits. SCID’s research even in these specific regions is broad in scope and has widespread applicability, encompassing the links between economic development and investments in education, health care, and infrastructure, as well as the evolution of labor migration, laws and regulations, institutions, international trade and finance. In all of its research activities, SCID endeavors to engage student interest and to encourage the research inquiries of junior faculty members toward international development.
The center cooperates closely with several Bay Area agencies, most notably in the conferences hosted by the San Francisco Reserve Bank, the roundtables of the Pacific Pension Institute, the public events of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), as well as local events sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Chinese Consulate, and the Indian Consulate. SCID faculty and visitors are in high demand as commentators for many organizations (especially on China and India) and as presenters at events sponsored by local banks, investment firms, and other organizations.