Dr. Laura Senke Ngeh

1. Tell us about Dr. Laura Senke Ngeh. Who is she?

I am Dr. Laura Senke Ngeh, a Lecturer and researcher in Economics at the University of Buea, Cameroon. I earned my PhD in Economics from the University of Buea in July 2024, with my doctoral research supported by AERC. My work focuses on poverty, inequality, social protection, gender, health economics, humanitarian issues, applied econometrics, and impact evaluation.

2. What first sparked your interest in economics and research?

I come from a poor background, and from the start of my undergraduate studies, what drew me to economics was a very personal question: how could my family break out of the poverty cycle? Economics gave me a framework to understand my own background more deeply, and that question still drives my research today. I still want to understand poverty more fully so I can help to combat it and improve economic outcomes in my community.

3. What research project are you most proud of and why?

Without a doubt, my PhD thesis. It makes me proud because it represents the time when AERC funded my research. My thesis made me realise that my work was being seen and recognised, not just within my university, but beyond it. That recognition pushed me to give my very best and work harder than I thought I could. AERC didn’t just fund a thesis; they changed my life, and I remain deeply grateful for what that support made possible.

4. What support systems have helped you navigate your career?

AERC has been central to my journey, for the reasons I’ve already shared. Its support gave me both the resources and the confidence to pursue my research seriously.

5. What does being a woman in research mean to you?

It means embracing a space that isn’t always easy to occupy. I’m drawn to the quantitative side of economics, an area many still assume women aren’t suited for. I’m proud of being there despite the obstacles and doing that work well. It’s challenging, but it’s also deeply interesting.

6. Have there been moments when being a woman in academia presented unique challenges?

Yes, there have been real challenges, particularly as a quantitative researcher navigating spaces where my presence and my abilities have sometimes been questioned or doubted by male colleagues and mentors rather than taken at face value. It hasn’t been easy, but it has made me more resolved.

7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching, researching, or working on projects?

I love staying active, working out and dancing are a big part of my life. I also love spending time with my family. Beyond that, I enjoy seeking out quiet environments where I can just be myself and observe nature.

8. What does a typical day look like for you?

My day usually starts with a workout before I get into anything else. Right now, I’m also in a season of seeking new opportunities, so I make it a discipline to apply for at least one opportunity every day. From there, the rest of the day might involve teaching, mentoring, or activities through my church community.

9. Is there a topic outside your current field that has recently captured your interest?

Yes — agriculture has really captured my attention lately. I’ve been exploring the intersection of smallholder farming with project planning and management. I’m also curious about energy economics, and I’ve been exploring how AI can intersect with my work. I see myself as always in the business of learning, and I want to keep exploring whenever the opportunity presents itself.

10. Any other thing you would like to share

My deepest, deepest appreciation goes to AERC. AERC is a life-changer for me, wherever I go, whatever I achieve, AERC will remain central to that story. I would also like to add that, because of AERC’s support, I was the first person in my batch to defend both of my theses, and the first in the batch of students one year ahead of me in the PhD program.