In this public lecture, Joseph Vecci from Monash University will explain the results of a recent co-authored paper on reef density and matrilineal inheritance in fishing communities in the Solomon Islands. He will discuss how reef density is associated with the prevalence of matriliny, offering evidence from a sample of 186 societies across the world as well as a sample of 59 small-scale horticultural fishing communities in the Solomon Islands. In addition to this, he will provide an explanation of why this relationship is thought to exist – an explanation based around the sexual division of labour and on inclusive fitness. The presentation will also document some of the demographic consequences of matrilineal inheritance, including smaller household and village population size.
Joseph Vecci is a PhD student in the Department of Economics, Monash University. His research interests include development and experimental economics. Specifically, he is conducting experiments to understand the effects of social norms on gender inequality in developed and developing countries. Joe has also worked as a consultant for the World Bank examining the impact of its rural development program in Solomon Islands.
This public lecture is presented by the Development Policy Centre at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
* Please note that the venue for this event has been changed to Seminar Room 9, Level 2, JG Crawford Building.
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