Established in the spring of 2007 MICRO is a research centre within the field of development studies. Its research covers essential political, economic and cultural dimensions of development incorporating such fields as corporate philanthropy and social responsibility, traditional development aid, microfinance, and politico-economic models of development. In August 2007 MICRO's Director, professor Anne Welle-Strand, was awarded a six year Endowed Professorship in Development Studies and Microfinace.
MICRO aims to produce new knowledge and advance education in the field of development studies. Presently MICRO is conducting research across several dimensions of development, scrutinizing the effect of specific development 'tools' on economic growth, poverty and inequality, and health and education. Among other things the Centre looks into the impact on development of:
- International Development Assistance
- Financial Institutions and Microfinance
- Investment and Trade
- Private Remittances
- Corporate Philanthropy, Social Responsibility, and Social Entrepreneurship
- International Governance
