Martin J. Chegere is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and a Research Fellow at the Environment for Development Initiative (Tanzania). He is also a Research Fellow at the Centre for Behavioural Studies at UDSM, where he was one of the founding members and served as its first Coordinator. Since June 2023, he has been the Head of the Department of Applied Economics at the School of Economics, UDSM. His research interests encompass development economics, natural resource management and utilization, behavioural and experimental economics, impact evaluation, and agricultural economics. Currently, his research focuses on the economics of food and nutrition, the impact of policies and household characteristics on children's nutrition and education, agribusiness and the business environment, impact evaluation, and integrating research with behavioural insights. Dr. Chegere has received numerous research grants from prestigious organizations such as SIDA, DFID (now FCDO), NORAD, DANIDA, IDRC, the European Union, the African Economic Research Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has also worked as a consultant for various government ministries and departments, as well as organizations including the World Bank, AGRA, Cambridge Education Tanzania Ltd., Forest Development Trust, REPOA, Trademark Africa, and the Economic and Social Research Foundation. He has supervised 3 PhD students to completion.

Research interest

Agricultural Economics (production, post-harvest loses and food security)

Development Economics (child health, education and development, nutrition, poverty and welfare)

Impact Evaluation and Cost Benefit Analysis

Behavioral Economics

Businesses and Business environment (tax and incentive structures)

Mentoring

Supervised three (3) PhD candidates to completion and currently mentoring five (5) PhD candidates at various stages of their research.

Guided 24 Master’s students to successful completion and is presently supervising four (4) master’s candidates at different stages of their academic journey.

Grants and consultancy:

He has led and contributed to over 25 projects with external funding from governments, domestic and international organizations, companies, universities, and other institutions.

Policy Engagement:

Policy Analysis and Advisory: Led studies on education, agri-food, tourism and education sectors, and AfCFTA, offering insights to shape government policy and national priorities.
Capacity Building and Mentorship: Trained local researchers and provided consultancy on impact evaluation, policy research, and data systems to enhance Tanzanian policymaking.