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Dr. Elena Samonova to Present at the DSA Conference 2026
Dr. Elena Samonova will present research on work volition among young people in Sierra Leone at the Development Studies Association Conference in Dublin, highlighting the structural and socio-economic factors shaping labour market opportunities.
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Presentation at the DSA Conference in Dublin, Ireland
Dr. Elena Samonova will present her paper, "Work Volition in a Changing World: Evidence from Sierra Leone," at the Development Studies Association (DSA) Conference, hosted by University College Dublin from 7–10 July 2026.
Her presentation explores the factors influencing young people's perceptions of work volition and their ability to adapt to structural changes in the labour market. The paper examines both individual and socio-economic influences while providing a critical analysis of the structural inequalities that continue to shape labour market outcomes.
The discussion contributes to wider debates on youth employment, social mobility, and the role of policy in responding to changing labour market realities. By centering lived experience alongside evidence, the talk offers an important perspective on how young people navigate uncertainty and opportunity in Sierra Leone.