Overview
The Inequality Working Group of the Young Scholar Initiative (IWG-YSI), School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, and the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) University, Hyderabad,are pleased to announce the International Conference on “Structural Change, Youth Employability, and Inequality”, on 27-28 November 2025. This event provides a platform for young scholars and PhD students to engage with and understand the complex issues of economic development and its challenges, like unequal access to resources, food security, housing, education, health, and other public goods. The persistence of inequality in access to education (human capital) leads to unequal access to decent jobs (capability inequalities). This not only limits earning capabilities but also leads to increased inequality in income distribution. Moreover, the unplanned development of urban centres (cities and towns), the slower pace of structural transformation, and sluggish industrial growth, etc., limit the career opportunities of many young educated youth. We will also have special invited talks by researchers, advisors, and policymakers with practical experience developing and implementing government and regulatory policy. We aim to promote the exchange of ideas and highlight recent works on addressing the myriad issues that India and other developing countries face today, as the global economy and scientific development bring up new challenges for us. We hope to bring together the academic community and policymakers to discuss their contributions and efforts to mitigate such challenges. Finally, we aim to provide a platform to address the broader issues and challenges of structural change and
Overview
The Inequality Working Group of the Young Scholar Initiative (IWG-YSI), School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, and the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) University, Hyderabad, are pleased to announce the International Conference on “Structural Change, Youth Employability, and Inequality”, on 27-28 November 2025. This event provides a platform for young scholars and PhD students to engage with and understand the complex issues of economic development and its challenges, like unequal access to resources, food security, housing, education, health, and other public goods. The persistence of inequality in access to education (human capital) leads to unequal access to decent jobs (capability inequalities). This not only limits earning capabilities but also leads to increased inequality in income distribution. Moreover, the unplanned development of urban centres (cities and towns), the slower pace of structural transformation, and sluggish industrial growth, etc., limit the career opportunities of many young educated youth. We will also have special invited talks by researchers, advisors, and policymakers with practical experience developing and implementing government and regulatory policy. We aim to promote the exchange of ideas and highlight recent works on addressing the myriad issues that India and other developing countries face today, as the global economy and scientific development bring up new challenges for us. We hope to bring together the academic community and policymakers to discuss their contributions and efforts to mitigate such challenges. Finally, we aim to provide a platform to address the broader issues and challenges of structural change and inequality.
Why Participate?
The conference will give participants a comprehensive understanding of inequality and challenges to sustainable economic development. It will also provide a platform to engage with leading scholars and policy experts.
Themes of the Conference
- Economic Growth, Structural Change, Inequality and Marginalisation
- Education, Decent Jobs, and Youth Employability
- Urbanisation, Migration, and Informal Sector
- Food Security, Poverty and Inequality, and Climate Change
- Inequality in Health and Livelihood
Eligibility Criteria
Registered early young researchers and doctoral students in Indian colleges, universities, or institutes. Preference will be given to applicants who are new to YSI’s events.
Application Process
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include academic qualifications, research experience, and key publications (if any).
- Extended Abstract: Up to 1,000 words providing a detailed overview, including research objectives, theoretical framework, methodology, preliminary results, and implications.
Paper Submission Guidelines
- Extended Abstract
Length: 800 to 1,000 words
Content: A concise summary of the research, including the issue, relevance, objective, and methodology under any of the conference themes. The author’s name or affiliation must not be mentioned anywhere in the extended abstract to ensure anonymity during the review process. Use the conference theme number as the filename.
- Full Working Paper
Length: Maximum of 6,000 to 8,000 words (including references and tables). Papers must be the original work of the scholars. All submissions will be checked for originality using one of the plagiarism detection tools.
- Formatting Guidelines
The full paper must include an abstract of 150-200 words, 4-6 relevant keywords, and appropriate Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes (https://link.springer.com/journal/41775/submission-guidelines ) at the end of the abstract. The format of the Word file is Times New Roman font, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, both sides justified, 1-inch margin on all sides, and automatic page numbering on each page.
Travel and Accommodation
- Modest twin-sharing accommodation will be provided for presenters of accepted papers, on a one-paper-one-presenter basis.
- Meals (Breakfast, Tea, Lunches, and Dinners) are served during the Conference days.
- Selected scholars will be provided a travel stipend equivalent to a third-tier AC train (excluding Rajadhani, Duronto, Vande Bharat, and other premium or dynamic pricing trains). Tickets and proof of travel should be shared with us for reimbursement. Scholars who can cover the travel cost on their own are also encouraged to apply (free accommodation and food will be covered).
Tentative Deadlines
Call for Applications Open: July 30, 2025.
Deadline for Submission of Extended Abstract: August 24, 2025.
Notification of Abstract acceptance: September 5, 2025.
Deadline for submission of full working paper: October 12, 2025.
Final Selection Announcement: October 20, 2025.
Workshop: November 27-28, 2025.
Organizing Team
Rohit Kumar Rawat Organiser, YSI-INET and PhD Scholar, School of Economics, University of Hyderabad.
Nandu Sasidharan Coordinator, YSI-INET and PhD Scholar, University of Siena, Italy.
Aditi Member, YSI-INET and PhD Scholar, School of Economics, University of Hyderabad.
