Evert-jan Quak
Researcher (Development studies; International economics; Agricultural economics)
Southampton, UK
I am researcher at the Business, Markets, and the State cluster in IDS, with an interest in trade relations, business development, sustainable and inclusive value chains, employment, and workers participation and representation. Most of this research work corresponds with low-and middle-income countries. I have previous experience conducting research on development outcomes of trade and international investments, inclusiveness of aid for trade, private sector development interventions and their development impact on employment and food security, and policy responses to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. I combined this work with the former Knowledge for Development programme (K4D), supporting learning and the use of evidence to improve the impact of development policy and programmes for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). I have previous experience working with NGOs, policymakers and researchers as a knowledge broker and consultant.
Publications
- Saha, A., Quak, E. and Turner, L. (2025). An Inclusive Lens on Aid for Trade. IDS Policy Briefing 218, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies. https://www.ids.ac.uk/publications/an-inclusive-lens-on-aid-for-trade/
- Quak, E., Nyhus Dhillon, C., Ebata, A., Barnett, I. and Thorpe, J. (2025). Measuring the Business Case for Workforce Nutrition Programmes. Briefing Paper 13, Geneva, Switzerland: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). https://www.gainhealth.org/sites/default/files/publications/gain-briefing-paper-wfn-business-case-metrics_final-draft.pdf
- Saha, A., Carreras, M. and Quak, E. (2022). Investigating Initial Policy Responses to COVID-19: Evidence Across 59 Countries. International Review of Applied Economics, DOI: 10.1080/02692171.2022.2130187. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Investigating_Initial_Policy_Responses_to_COVID-19_Evidence_Across_59_Countries/26427838?file=48181912
- Thorpe, J., Odame, H., Quak, E. and Ayele, S. (2022). Covid-19: Shaping the Nexus between State-Business Relations and Global Value Chains: The Case of Horticulture in Kenya. Brighton: Institute of Development Studies. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/online_resource/Covid-19_Shaping_the_Nexus_between_State-Business_Relations_and_Global_Value_Chains_The_Case_of_Horticulture_in_Kenya/26435419?file=48084712
- Quak, E. and Barenboim, I. (2022). Female Entrepreneurship and Informality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What Have We Learned So Far? MUVA Paper Series. Brighton: Institute of Development Studies. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/report/Female_Entrepreneurship_and_Informality_in_Low-_and_Middle-Income_Countries_What_Have_We_Learned_So_Far_/26429011?file=48077923
- Quak, E., Saha, A. and Thorpe, J. (2022). National Governments Support Measures for Small Business During the Covid-19 Pandemic. GAIN Working Paper Series 24, Geneva: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. https://www.gainhealth.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/gain-working-paper-series-24-national-governments-support-measures-for-small-businesses-during-the-covid-19-pandemic_0_0.pdf
- Saha, A., Quak, E. and Carreras, M. (2020) An Assessment of the Impact of Covid-19 Responses on MSMEs in the Informal Sector: Evidence from Commonwealth Countries in Africa, London: The Commonwealth. https://doi.org/10.14217/ComSec.731
- Quak, E. and Flynn, J. (2019) Private Sector Development Interventions and Better-Quality Job Creation for Youth in Africa: Linking Business Performance with Productivity Growth and Sustainable Job Creation, Evidence Synthesis Paper, ILO, INCLUDE and IDRC. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/report/Private_Sector_Development_Interventions_and_Better-Quality_Job_Creation_for_Youth_in_Africa_Full_Report_and_Executive_Summary/26430532
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Co-workers & collaborators
- OO
Olivia Okello
- GO
Giovanni Occhiali
Research Fellow