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Research interests
Development economics; human development; the capability approach; measurement
Sabina Alkire
Director, OPHI, and Professor of Poverty and Human Development
Sabina Alkire directs the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at ODID.
Her research interests include multidimensional poverty measurement and analysis, welfare economics, the capability approach, the measurement of freedoms and human development.
Together with Professor James Foster, she developed the Alkire-Foster (AF) method for measuring multidimensional poverty, a flexible technique that can incorporate different dimensions, or aspects of poverty, to create measures tailored to each context. With colleagues at OPHI this has been applied and implemented empirically to produce a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The MPI offers a tool to identify who is poor by considering the range of deprivations they suffer. It is used to report a headline figure of poverty (the MPI), which can be unpacked to provide a detailed information platform for policy design showing how people are poor nationally, and how they are poor by areas, groups, and by each indicator.
Previously, she worked at the George Washington University, Harvard University, the Human Security Commission, and the World Bank. She has a DPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford.
She holds a DPhil in Economics, an Msc in Economics for Development and an MPhil in Christian Political Ethics from the University of Oxford.
Sabina Alkire teaches research methods and lectures on the core course in development studies for the MPhil in Development Studies, as well as offering an option on Poverty and Human Development.
Doctoral students supervised
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Books and monographsAlkire, Sabina (with Paola Ballon, James Foster, Jose Manuel Roche, Maria Emma Santos, Suman Seth )(2015) 'Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis: A Counting Approach ', Oxford: Oxford University PressAlkire, Sabina (with F Comim, M Qizilbash )(2008) '(eds) The Capability Approach: Concepts, Measures and Applications ', Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (2005) 'Valuing Freedoms: Sen's Capability Approach and Poverty Reduction ', Oxford: Oxford University Press
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Journal articles and special issuesAlkire, Sabina (with Frank Vollmer )(2022) 'Consolidating and improving the assets indicator in the global Multidimensional Poverty Index ', World DevelopmentAlkire, Sabina (2021) 'Children and Multidimensional Poverty. Four Measurement Strategies ', Sustainability 16 (13) : 9108Alkire, Sabina (with Seth Suman )(2021) 'Multidimensional poverty and inclusive growth in India: An analysis using growth elasticities and semi-elasticities ', Research on Economic Inequality 29Alkire, Sabina (2021) 'Examining multidimensional poverty reduction in India 2005/6–2015/16: Insights and oversights of the headcount ratio ', World DevelopmentAlkire, Sabina (2020) 'Revisions of the global multidimensional poverty index: indicator options and their empirical assessment ', Oxford Development StudiesAlkire, Sabina (with Mauricio Apablaza, Satya Chakravarty and Gaston Yalonetzky )(2017) 'Measuring chronic multidimensional poverty ', Journal of Policy ModelingAlkire, Sabina (with José Manuel Roche, Ana Vaza )(2017) 'Changes Over Time in Multidimensional Poverty: Methodology and Results for 34 Countries ', World Development 94 : 232-49Alkire, Sabina (with Suman Seth )(2015) 'Multidimensional Poverty Reduction in India between 1999 and 2006: Where and How? ', World Development 72 : 93-108Alkire, Sabina (2014) 'Measuring Acute Poverty in the Developing World: Robustness and Scope of the Multidimensional Poverty Index ', World Development 59 : 251-74Alkire, Sabina (with Maria Emma Santos )(2013) 'A Multidimensional Approach: Poverty Measurement and Beyond ', Social Indicators Research 112 (2) : 239-57Alkire, Sabina (with Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Amber Peterman, Agnes Quisumbing, Greg Seymour and Ana Vaz )(2013) 'The Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index ', World Development 52 : 71–91Alkire, Sabina (with Suman Seth )(2013) 'Selecting a Targeting Method to Identify BPL Households in India ', Social Indicators Research 112 (2) : 417-46Alkire, Sabina (with Andy Sumner )(2013) 'Multidimensional Poverty and the Post-2015 MDGs ', Development 56 (1) : 46-51Alkire, Sabina (with J Foster )(2011) 'Counting and Multidimensional Poverty Measurement ', Journal of Public Economics 95(7-8) : 476-87Alkire, Sabina (with J Foster )(2011) 'Understandings and Misunderstandings of Multidimensional Poverty Measurement ', Journal of Economic Inequality 9 : 289-314Alkire, Sabina (with W Xiaolin )(2009) 'Measurement of Multidimensional Poverty in China: Estimationa and Policy Implications ', Chinese Rural Economy 12 : 4-10Alkire, Sabina (with S Seth )(2009) 'Determining BPL Status: Some Methodological Improvements ', Indian Journal of Human Development 2(2) : 407-24Alkire, Sabina (with S Ibrahim )(2007) 'The Missing Dimensions of Poverty Data: Introduction to the Special Issue ', Oxford Development Studies 35(4) : 379-403Alkire, Sabina (with S Ibrahim )(2007) 'Agency and Empowerment: A Proposal for Internationally Comparable Indicators ', Oxford Development Studies 35(4) : 379-403Alkire, Sabina (2005) 'Why the Capability Approach ', Journal of Human Development 6(1) : 115-35Alkire, Sabina (2005) 'Subjective Quantitative Studies of Human Agency ', Social Indicators Research 74(1) : 217-60Alkire, Sabina (with L Chen )(2004) 'Global Health and Moral Values ', The Lancet 364(9439) : 1069-74Alkire, Sabina (2002) 'Dimensions of Human Development ', World Development 30(2) : 181-205Alkire, Sabina (with R Black )(1997) 'A Practical Reasoning Theory of Development Ethics: Furthering the Capabilities Approach ', Journal of International Develoment 9(2) : 263-79Alkire, Sabina (with R Black, D Clough, E Gregory )(1994) 'This Unemployment, Disaster or Opportunity ', Theology 97(780) : 402-13
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ChaptersAlkire, Sabina (2017) 'Did Poverty Reduction Reach the Poorest of the Poor? Complementary Measures of Poverty and Inequality in the Counting Approach ', Research on Economic Inequality Emerald Publishing LimitedAlkire, Sabina (with Jose Manuel Roche )(2012) 'Beyond Headcount: The Alkire-Foster Approach to Multidimensional Child Poverty Measurement ', Child Poverty and Inequality: New Perspectives UNICEFAlkire, Sabina (2011) 'Multidimensional Poverty and Its Discontents ', Measure for Measure: How Well do We Measure Development? Paris: AFD, EUDNAlkire, Sabina (2010) 'Development: A Misconceived Theory Can Kill ', Amartya Sen: Contemporary Philosophy in Focus Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (with M E Santos )(2009) 'Poverty and Inequality Measurement ', An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency Earthscan and International Development Research CentreAlkire, Sabina (2009) 'The Capability Approach as a Development Paradigm ', Debating Global Society: Reach and Limits of the Capability Approach Milan: Feltrinelli FoundationAlkire, Sabina (with S Deneulin )(2009) 'A Normative Framework for Development ', An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency Earthscan, International Development Research CentreAlkire, Sabina (with S Deneulin )(2009) 'The Human Development and Capability Approach ', An Introduction to the Human Development and Capability Approach: Freedom and Agency Earthscan and International Development Research CentreAlkire, Sabina (with J Foster )(2009) 'Counting and Multidimensional Poverty ', The Poorest and Hungry: Assessment, Analysis and Actions Washington DC: International Food Policy Research InstituteAlkire, Sabina (2008) 'Using the Capability Approach: Prospective and Evaluative Analyses ', The Capability Approach: Concepts, Measures and Applications Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (2008) 'Choosing Dimensions: The Capability Approach and Multidimensional Poverty ', The Many Dimensions of Poverty Basingstoke: Palgrave MacmillanAlkire, Sabina (with F Comim, M Qizilbash )(2008) 'Introduction ', The Capability Approach: Concepts, Measures and Applications Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (2008) 'Concepts and Measures of Agency ', Arguments for a Better World: Essasys in Honour of Amartya Sen; Volume 1: Ethics, Welfare and Measurement Oxford: Oxford University PressAlkire, Sabina (2007) 'Measuring Freedoms Alongside Well-Being ', Well-Being in Developing Countries: New Approaches and Research Strategies Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (2006) 'Needs and Capabilities ', The Philosophy of Need Cambridge: Cambridge University PressAlkire, Sabina (2006) 'Religion and Development ', The Elgar Companion to Development Studies Cheltenham: Edward ElgarAlkire, Sabina (2006) 'Structural Injustice and Democratic Practice: The Trajectory in Sen's Writings ', Transforming Unjust Structures: The Capability Approach Dordrecht: SpringerAlkire, Sabina (with L Chen )(2006) 'Medical Exceptionalism in International Migration: Should Doctors and Nurses be Treated Differently? ', Globalizing Migration Regimes Aldershot: AshgateAlkire, Sabina (2006) 'Public Debate and Value Construction in Sen's Approach ', Capabilities Equality: Basic Issues and Problems London: RoutledgeAlkire, Sabina (2004) 'The Role of External Actors ', Culture and Public Action: A Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue on Development Policy Stanford: Stanford University PressAlkire, Sabina (2003) 'Concepts of Human Security ', Human Insecurity in a Global World Cambridge: Harvard Univeristy PressAlkire, Sabina (with S Deneulin )(2002) 'Individual Motivation, Its Nature, Determinants and Consequences for Within-Group Behaviour ', Group Motivation and Development: Is the Market Destroying Cooperation? Oxford: Oxford University PressAlkire, Sabina (2002) 'Global Citizenship and Common Values ', Global Citizenship: A Critical Reader Edinburgh: Edinburgh University PressAlkire, Sabina (2001) 'The Basic Dimensions of Human Flourishing: A Comparison of Accounts ', The Revival of Natural Law Aldershot: Ashgate
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Working papersAlkire, Sabina (2010) 'Human Development: Definitions, Critiques and Related Concepts ', OPHI Working Paper No. 36; UNDP Human Development Report Background PaperAlkire, Sabina (with M E Santos )(2010) 'Acute Multidimensional Poverty: A New Index for Developing Countries ', OPHI Working Paper No. 38; UNDP Human Development Report Background PaperAlkire, Sabina (with J Foster )(2010) 'Designing the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (HDI) ', OPHI Working Paper No. 37; UNDP Human Development Report Background Paper
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Other publicationsAlkire, Sabina (with R Nogales, C Oldiges )(2020) 'Multidimensional Poverty and Vulnerability to COVID-19. A Rapid Overview of Disaggregated and Interlinked Vulnerabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa ', OPHI Briefing 54 Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, University of OxfordAlkire, Sabina (with R Nogales, C Oldiges )(2020) 'Multidimensional Poverty and COVID-19 Risk Factors. A Rapid Overview of Interlinked Deprivations Across 5.8 Billion People ', OPHI Briefing 53a Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of OxfordAlkire, Sabina (with R Nogales, C Oldiges )(2020) 'Multidimensional Poverty and COVID-19 Risk Factors. A Rapid Overview of Interlinked Deprivations Across 5.7 Billion People ', OPHI Briefing 53 Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, University of OxfordAlkire, Sabina (with C Oldiges, R Nogales )(2020) 'Multidimensional Poverty and the Risk from COVID-19 ', Dimensions 9 : 7-10Alkire, Sabina (with R Nogales, C Oldiges )(2020) 'Multidimensional Poverty and Vulnerability to COVID-19. A Rapid Overview of Disaggregated and Interlinked Vulnerabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa ', OPHI Briefing 54a Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, University of OxfordAlkire, Sabina (with Adriana Conconi, Suman Seth and Ana Vaz )(2014) 'Poverty in Rural and Urban Areas? ', Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Policy Briefing Oxford: OPHIAlkire, Sabina (with Adriana Conconi, Suman Seth and Ana Vaz )(2014) 'The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2014: An Overview ', Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Policy Briefing Oxford: OPHIAlkire, Sabina (with Adriana Conconi, Suman Seth and Ana Vaz )(2014) 'Destitution: Who and where are the poorest of the poor? ', Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Policy Briefing Oxford: OPHI
Overview
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