Jennifer Castañeda-Navarrete is Principal Policy Analyst at IfM Engage, University of Cambridge. Jennifer conducts economic and policy analysis to inform industrial and innovation policies in developing and developed countries. She also serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the Women in Manufacturing UK initiative, where she chairs the Policy and Research Working Group.

EXPERTISE

In her role as Principal Policy Analyst, Jennifer provides expertise in development economics and public policy in areas including:

· Industrial innovation policy

· Gender mainstreaming

· Policy design, monitoring and evaluation

· Social and economic implications of technology adoption

· The future of work

HIGHLIGHTS

With 20 years’ experience in policy and economic analysis, Jennifer has collaborated with a range of international organisations, national and subnational governments, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Jennifer holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Sussex, UK; an MSc in Economics and Development Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK; and an MA in Government and Public Policy from the Autonomous University of Yucatán, Mexico. Recent examples of her work include the Women in UK Manufacturing report 2024 which provides an overview of the progress and challenges encountered by women participating in UK manufacturing. 

About the Women in Manufacturing UK initiative

WiM UK was established in 2022 and is led by a dedicated network of academics, practitioners, and industry professionals. WiM UK’s mission is to empower women in manufacturing by creating inclusive workplace cultures and facilitating pathways to career development and leadership.

Aiming to raise the participation of women in manufacturing to 35% by 2035, WiM UK organises the annual conference Women in Manufacturing: Changing Perceptions.