Dr. Kot David Adhal Nguar | Digital technology | Best Researcher Award
Florence at Centre for Digital Society European University Institute | Italy
Dr. Kot David Adhal Nguar is a research-driven economist and data scientist he working across Europe and Africa. His interdisciplinary expertise lies at the intersection of digital transformation, public policy, and development economics. Currently serving as a Research Associate at the European University Institute, he collaborates on digital economy initiatives supported by the European Commission. His academic and professional background combines PhD-level management training with hands-on experience in policy evaluation, data analytics, and digital infrastructure studies. A thought leader in development strategy, Dr. Nguar integrates empirical research with practical advisory work in global institutions.
Profile:
Orcid | Google Scholor
Education:
Dr. Nguar holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, a Master of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s in Economics and Management from Uganda Christian University. He is further augmenting his expertise through dual master’s degrees in Data Science and Economics & Policy Evaluation at the University of Rome Sapienza. His academic path reflects a blend of theoretical training and quantitative rigor, with supervisors including renowned scholars such as Prof. Andrea Bonomi Savignon and Prof. Francesco Bloise, who guided his econometric and policy-oriented research.
Experience:
Dr. Nguar has held pivotal research and consultancy roles in prestigious institutions. At the European University Institute, he leads digital maturity assessments for EBRD and contributes to platform economics research. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher for the PNRR-funded GRINS project at the University of Bologna and worked with the EBRD in London, conducting diagnostics. His experience spans academia, think tanks, and humanitarian organizations, including the UN Office in Geneva and the University of Sussex’s PEER Network. His field expertise encompasses digital policy, public management, education reform, and inclusive development strategies.
Research Interests:
Dr. Nguar’s research navigates several overlapping domains: development economics, public management reform, digital innovation, and education policy. He applies empirical, experimental, and quasi-experimental methods including panel data, RCTs, and econometric modeling to address key development challenges. His work examines how digital technologies and capacity building influence governance, institutional efficiency, and economic outcomes, particularly in fragile and developing contexts. He also investigates climate change, agricultural economics, and the impact of education systems on peacebuilding and socioeconomic growth. His interdisciplinary focus bridges academic rigor with policy relevance in a globalized digital era.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Nguar has been recognized for his leadership in evidence-based research and digital transformation analysis. He served as team leader for the EBRD’s Digital Diagnostic Project and earned multiple research fellowships, including at the University of Sussex and European University Institute. He was selected as a fellow by the Global Challenges Research Fund and CSWEP-SSRC, highlighting his contributions to education policy and gender-inclusive economic development. Additionally, he has been a grant recipient under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), underscoring his standing in interdisciplinary, cross-national innovation and resilience research.
Publications:
Title: Corporate social responsibility and SME performance: a meta-analysis
Citation: 64
Year of Publication: 2022
Title: Are we happy together? A meta-analytic review of the impact of open innovation on firm performance
Citation: 20
Year of Publication: 2021
Title: A systematic review of technological innovation and e-government on public management reforms in developing countries
Citation: 6
Year of Publication: 2022
Title: The impact of digital learning and capacity building on employees’ performance in humanitarian organizations
Citation: 1
Year of Publication: 2024
Title: The Influence of Digital Technology on Public Management Reforms: The Mediating effects of Competence and Inclusivity
Year of Publication: 2025
Title: The Impact of Climatic Shocks on the Commodity Food Prices in Ethiopia: Examining the role of parallel trend assumption in the Difference in Difference
Year of Publication: 2025
Title: The Distributional Effect of Climate Change on Environmental Productivity and Economic Development: Evidence from Rwanda
Year of Publication: 2024
Conclusion:
Dr. Nguar exemplifies a new generation of interdisciplinary scholars merging empirical research, digital innovation, and public sector transformation. His work serves as a bridge between academia, policy, and practice, particularly in digital governance and development economics. Through high-impact roles in international institutions and a growing body of scholarly work, he has demonstrated excellence, leadership, and adaptability. His career trajectory showcases a commitment to research that informs inclusive policy, enhances governance, and contributes to economic and social resilience. Dr. Nguar is an exceptional candidate for award recognition in research and innovation.