This month, we are thrilled to feature Marion Perrot and Massaer Mbaye, two CAnD3 Fellows whose research journeys reflect curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to understanding the social and economic forces that shape people鈥檚 lives. From returning to the world of research after time in the workforce, to building sophisticated empirical tools that shed light on gender and development, both Fellows demonstrate how mentorship, methodological training, and community can fundamentally shape the way emerging scholars see and study the world.
To start, could you take us back to a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey, and tell us how CAnD3 supported or strengthened that path?
Marion:The turning point came when, after completing my master's degree and starting work, I realized that, despite my initial intention not to pursue a PhD鈥攆or fear of an overly restrictive environment and excessive specialization鈥擨 missed the university, the world of research, and the opportunity to explore issues in depth, learn about a variety of topics, and attempt to unravel complex phenomena.
CAnD3 reinforced this interest by exposing me to exciting research perspectives (those of other fellows and guests), as well as tools and approaches that enriched my own project: replicability analyses, DAG construction, storytelling for data communication, and showcasing my experiences through the creation of an ePortfolio.
Above all, CAnD3 offers me a valuable weekly space to exchange ideas with other (future) researchers from different disciplines, provinces, and countries. This community is one of the most stimulating elements of the program. Thank you, CAnD3!
Massaer: As a PhD student in economics, much of my work involves empirical analysis and calibration, which requires strong software and quantitative skills. Before joining CanD3, I had already planned to use R for my research, but I had limited exposure to it. Fortunately, this year鈥檚 CanD3 training focused on R, which aligned perfectly with my needs. The 涩里番 summer workshop and several program activities helped me realize how accessible and powerful R can be, especially for data manipulation and visualization.
Another pivotal moment for me was the session on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs). It introduced me to methodological tools commonly used in other disciplines, such as sociology, to address issues of bias and causal inference. This was particularly relevant to my dissertation, where I aim to identify the causal effect of GDP per capita on female labor force participation in African countries.
Finally, the upcoming training on building a personal research website is also extremely valuable. As I prepare for the job market, having an online platform to present my work will be essential. Overall, CanD3 has reinforced both my research skills and my broader sense of purpose as an applied economist.
Looking at your recent work, what project or accomplishment are you most proud of, and what aspects of it were especially rewarding or difficult?
惭补谤颈辞苍:听One of the projects I am particularly proud of is writing a narrative review on the contributions of intersectionality to public and global health in the French-speaking world. My supervisor guided me through the entire process, and I really appreciated our collaborative dynamic: gathering knowledge on the subject, synthesizing it to make it accessible and understandable to a wide audience, receiving feedback, and gradually improving the different versions of the article.
The article is currently awaiting review by a French-language journal鈥攖o be continued.
惭补蝉蝉补别谤:听One project I am particularly proud of is my paper on the causal effect of GDP per capita on female labor force participation, with a special focus on African countries. The most exciting aspect of this work was being able to construct a plausibly exogenous instrumental variable to address the reverse causality between economic development and women鈥檚 participation in the labor market. Building this IV required extensive data work and a careful understanding of international demand shocks, but it allowed me to isolate a causal effect that would otherwise be biased in standard regressions. The project was both technically challenging and intellectually rewarding, and it strengthened my interest in empirical research on gender and development.
Balancing research with well-being is essential. What practices or hobbies help you recharge outside academia?
惭补谤颈辞苍:听I took yoga teacher training at a time when I was feeling 鈥渓ost professionally.鈥� Since then, I've been teaching yoga three times a week at a gym near my home. For me, it's not just a 鈥渟ide job鈥�: it's a way to connect with people in a different way and share another of my passions. Yoga offers me a form of immediate gratification that research doesn't always provide: when someone tells me at the end of a class how much better they feel in their body or in their day, I feel like I've contributed a little bit to their well-being. For me, yoga is a philosophy of life, a second career, a wellness practice, and a true passion.聽The practice of yoga goes beyond the mat. As a philosophy of life, yoga teaches, among other things, the principle of non-violence (鈥渁himsa鈥�): compassion and respect for all living beings. For me, this principle is embodied in respect, love, and protection for animals. It is a value that guides both my daily life and the way I want to interact with the world.
惭补蝉蝉补别谤:听Outside of research and data, one hobby that might surprise people is that I am a very athletic person. I train regularly, and I鈥檓 especially passionate about weightlifting and boxing. These activities help me stay disciplined, focused, and energized, which ultimately supports my work as a researcher.
Photos Left to right: Marion with a cat, Massaer during his boxing training
Finally, Marion,聽if you could have dinner with any data scientist or researcher, past or present, who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them about their approach?
I would choose Hans Rosling. His autobiography, How I Learned to Understand the World, had a profound impact on me. His unusual career path鈥攕panning humanitarian missions, epidemiological research, teaching, and collaboration with international institutions鈥攊llustrates how data can transform our collective understanding of the world. I would ask him how he managed to communicate the complexity of data in a clear, accessible, and human way, while maintaining an ethical stance in an environment where figures are (often) politicized.
And Massaer, to wrap this interview up on a fun note, if you could assemble a dream team of three people to assist in your research, who would they be and what roles would they play?
If I could assemble a dream team of three people to support my research, I would choose individuals who mirror real-world scholars I admire. First, I would invite Claudia Goldin to supervise and comment on my work, since my research extends her insights on women鈥檚 labor force participation. Her ability to combine historical depth with rigorous empirical analysis would be invaluable. Second, I would bring in Daron Acemoglu for his critical thinking and his broad contributions to microeconomics and political economy; his perspective would strengthen both the theoretical and empirical foundations of the project. Finally, I would add Hadley Wickham, known for his exceptional data manipulation and programming skills in R. His expertise would ensure that my workflows remain efficient, reproducible, and elegant.
Through their distinct trajectories, Marion and Massaer exemplify the range of research and perspectives that CAnD3 brings together. Their stories underscore how shared learning and diverse approaches strengthen our community.
