Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering,
PhD 3rd year, Sayaka Sugiyama
１．About my stay in NY
- Visited institution: Resilient Urban Networks Lab, Center for Urban Science + Progress, New York University
- Name of the supervisor: Assistant Professor Takahiro Yabe
- Schedule: February – July 2025
２．What I experienced during the stay
- Projects
During my stay, I worked on three research projects. The first project focuses on political interventions in the implementation of irrigation projects in Sri Lanka and constitutes the second chapter of my PhD dissertation. I began data cleaning prior to my arrival at NYU and conducted the data analysis while there. I presented the preliminary results at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference in Chicago in April, where I received valuable feedback from the discussants. I also had an in-depth discussion about this paper with Dr. Rogger from the World Bank’s Bureaucracy Lab, who has written a paper on a closely related topic. The second project examines the impact of natural disasters on eviction rates in the United States. This is a collaborative project with Professor Yabe and a lab member, Vaidehi. Utilizing data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab and FEMA’s disaster declaration database, we analyze how disasters influence the frequency of eviction filings and how social capital, measured using data from Meta, can mitigate these effects. After obtaining preliminary results, we discussed our findings with Professor Ingrid Ellen from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, an expert in U.S. housing policy. We are currently refining the theoretical framework and preparing to begin writing the paper. The third project explores the role of places of worship in the implementation of irrigation projects in Sri Lanka, which is the final chapter of my dissertation. In Sri Lanka, local communities often resist project implementation, particularly when there are conflicting interests between different groups. Poor communication among these communities frequently leads to delays and incomplete projects. This study investigates how the geographic distribution of places of worship, which function as community hubs, affects project outcomes. I previously discussed this topic with Professor Daniel Aldrich from Northeastern University and plan to continue collaborating with him.
Networking
I reached out to several academics and professionals across institutions. These included three professors at NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP), one professor at NYU’s Marron Institute, one research fellow at the Governance Lab at MIT, one professor and one research fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, one
professor at Northeastern University, one professor at Tohoku University (a former World Bank officer), one student at the University of Michigan, and three current or former officers at the World Bank. I also attended seminars hosted by CUSP and engaged in meaningful conversations with faculty members whose research interests overlapped with mine. Initially, I believed that my research focus of governance in infrastructure development projects in the Global South was too niche, and I found it challenging to introduce myself and my work effectively. However, through these interactions and by immersing myself in CUSP’s urban-focused research environment, I realized that my research encompasses a number of intersecting themes that are relevant across various contexts. Over time, I became more adept at tailoring my self-introduction to the background and interests of the person I was speaking with, which significantly improved my ability to build connections. One notable outcome of this networking was a meeting with Dr. Rogger from the World Bank. After our discussion, he offered me an opportunity to collaborate on the analysis of a new governance-related dataset he had recently obtained. As a result, my CV is now circulating among World Bank staff, and I am hopeful that this may lead to an opportunity to return to Washington, D.C. next year.
Engagement in lab activities
In addition to attending weekly lab meetings and one-on-one sessions, I took the lead in organizing our lab’s happy hour events, which were held three times during my stay. We also organized a group excursion to the Morgan Library, providing a great opportunity for team bonding.
３．My thoughts on the experiences
I am deeply grateful to Friends of UTokyo, Inc., my supervisor in NY Prof Yabe, my supervisor in Japan Professor Morikawa, and everyone who supported and contributed to this research trip. Their encouragement and assistance made this valuable opportunity possible, and I believe it has had a transformative impact on my professional career. During this stay, I had the chance to speak with several professors who are active in both academia and the practitioner world, which is an ideal career path I aspire to pursue. They consistently emphasized that it is indeed possible to bridge the gap between research and practice, as long as one continues to produce tangible outputs such as reports and academic papers. Given my interest in development, I have long hoped to become involved in real-world development projects to deepen my understanding through field experience. The insights and encouragement I received during these conversations motivated me to maintain both academic and practical pathway, rather than feeling pressured to choose one over the other.
When I left Japan, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. but the experience turned out to
be truly amazing and far exceeded my expectations. Through this journey, I learned the value of stepping outside of our comfort zones and embracing new opportunities. Again, I really appreciate all of those who supported me for this exceptional learning opportunity.
