Dominik's thesis "Essays on Working Conditions, Occupational Choices, and Discrimination" sheds light on workplace safety in Uganda, the career decisions of young adults, and the colonial roots of homophobia in Sub-Saharan Africa.
His research explores how workplace safety, career decisions, and colonial history shape economic and social outcomes. In Uganda’s informal waste sector, providing free protective gear improved worker safety, health, and earnings. Career decisions among Ugandan youth were influenced more by financial returns and family approval than by accurate job market information, reinforcing gendered job sorting. His study on colonial legacies confirmed that former British and French colonies exhibit stronger homophobic attitudes, with Portuguese colonies being more tolerant.
These findings highlight the need for policies addressing workplace safety, gendered career barriers, and the historical roots of discrimination to promote fairer opportunities.
Kjetil Bjorvatn from the Department of Economics at the Norwegian School of Economics kindly acted as opponent.
Dominik is currently at the International Labour Organization in Geneva.
Want to learn more about Dominik's thesis? Click below to read it in its entirety.
