OPHI Summer School 2026: Multidimensional Poverty Measurement and Analysis

July 20-31, 2026 | San José, Costa Rica

Location: Universidad Latina, San José, Costa Rica

Overview

Intensive two-week summer school on measuring and analyzing multidimensional poverty using the Alkire-Foster method.

Organizer: Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford Host: Universidad Latina, Costa Rica Director: Professor Sabina Alkire Format: In-person, full-time Language: English Time: 09:00-17:00 CST daily

Who Should Apply

• National statistics office professionals
• Government ministry staff (poverty reduction)
• International development institution professionals
• Academic researchers
• Doctoral students
• Anyone working on poverty measurement and analysis

Learning Objectives

By course completion, participants will be able to:

• Understand conceptual and empirical foundations of multidimensional poverty
• Apply the Alkire-Foster (AF) method to compute multidimensional indices
• Interpret and communicate results including decompositions
• Use multidimensional measures as policy tools
• Evaluate different data sources for AF measurement

Course Content

• Unidimensional poverty measures
• Multidimensional poverty concepts
• The Alkire-Foster method
• Measurement design (dimensions, indicators, weights, cutoffs)
• Estimation and interpretation
• Subgroup decomposition
• Dimensional breakdown analysis
• Policy applications

Course Format

• Two full weeks of intensive instruction
• Lectures and Q&A sessions with Professor Alkire and OPHI team
• Small group problem sets using Stata
• Active discussions and working groups
• Hands-on practical exercises

Entry Requirements

Essential:

• Intermediate to advanced Stata knowledge (assessed during application)
• High level of English language ability
• Own laptop capable of running latest Stata version

Highly desirable:

• Strong quantitative methods knowledge
• Strong interest in poverty measurement

Fees

• Students/Developing country researchers: £650
• Developing country professionals: £1,600
• Developed country professionals: £2,250

Financial Support

• Limited fee reductions available (competitive basis)
• OPHI provides support letters for funding applications
• Participants encouraged to seek support from governments, institutions, external funders

How to Apply

Submit via: Online registration link (check OPHI website) here https://www.formpl.us/form/4928737986543616

Required Documents:

• Current curriculum vitae
• Sample Stata .do file
• Writing sample in English

Evaluation: Based on submitted application materials

Note: Temporary Stata licenses provided for all accepted participants

For more information contact

Email: ophi-summerschool@qeh.ox.ac

About OPHI

Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at University of Oxford. Leading institute in multidimensional poverty measurement and the capability approach (Amartya Sen). Develops and implements Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPIs) globally.