Joseph Ajefu is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Newcastle Business School. He holds an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Birmingham and a PhD in Economics from the University of Leicester.

Prior to joining Northumbria University, he worked at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand, and Nottingham Trent University. His research interests are focused on applied econometrics, with contributions to development economics, financial economics, health economics, labour and public economics. His recent research themes include financial inclusion, property rights, conflict, climate change, fertility, child and maternal health, and household welfare in low-and-middle-income countries. 

Joseph's onging research interests cover the following themes:

1. Intergenerational effects of property rights reforms in developing countries

2. Long-term effects of civil conflicts in developing countries

3. Educational policy reforms and non-economic returns

4. Fertility, maternal and child health in developing countries

5. Urbanisation and household outcomes

6. Deforestation and its implications in developing countries