Innovative Research Award
Sonam Tobgye
Institute for Excellence and Development (i-ED), Bhutan
Sonam Tobgye is associated with the Institute for Excellence and Development (i-ED) in Bhutan and is represented in the Business, Management and Accounting subject area. The available research record includes work addressing gender inequality, health, economic development, and hydropower investment in Bhutan, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on socioeconomic development. [1]
Abstract
This academic recognition profile examines the documented research record associated with Sonam Tobgye. The available publications address gender wage inequality, gender inequality and health, and the relationship between hydropower investment and economic development in Bhutan. These themes connect empirical social research with questions of inclusive growth, public policy, and national development. [2]
Keywords
Bhutan; gender inequality; wage inequality; health; economic development; hydropower investment; socioeconomic research; business and management.
Introduction
Research concerning Bhutan’s economic and social transformation benefits from analysis that considers both structural development and distributional outcomes. The documented work associated with this profile contributes to that discussion by examining gender-related disparities and major development investment, including hydropower. [3]
Research Profile
The available bibliometric information records one Scopus-indexed document, five citations, and an h-index of 1. These indicators provide a limited quantitative snapshot and should be interpreted alongside the substantive scope and scholarly context of the research record. [1]
Research Contributions
The research portfolio addresses several interconnected policy questions. Work on gender inequality examines distributional and health dimensions, while research on hydropower investment considers its relationship with economic growth and development. Together, these studies provide perspectives relevant to evidence-based development policy in Bhutan. [2] [3]
Publications
- Gender wage inequality in Bhutan: Regional and distributional decompositions, Journal of Asian Economics, 2026. [4]
- Essays on Gender Inequality and Health in Bhutan, RMIT University, 2024. [5]
- Investigating the Impact of Hydropower Investment on Economic Growth and Development: Bhutan’s Experience from the 1980s to 2017, Monash University, 2020. [6]
Research Impact
The recorded five citations and h-index of 1 indicate an emerging bibliometric footprint. More importantly, the subject matter has practical relevance to Bhutanese development debates, particularly gender equity, health, economic growth, and investment policy. The 2026 journal article further indicates continuing engagement with regional and distributional dimensions of economic inequality. [4]
Award Suitability
For the Innovative Research Award, the documented record demonstrates a clear connection between research activity and nationally relevant socioeconomic questions. The portfolio’s focus on inequality, health, and development supports consideration within Business, Management and Accounting, while the available bibliometric indicators should be evaluated in proportion to career stage and publication history. [1]
Conclusion
Sonam Tobgye’s documented research profile reflects an emerging scholarly contribution focused on Bhutan’s economic and social development. Its emphasis on gender inequality, health, and hydropower-led development provides a coherent foundation for academic recognition, subject to the broader evidence available through verified scholarly records.
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Sonam Tobgye, Author ID 58180695700. Scopus.
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58180695700
- ORCID. (n.d.). Sonam Tobgye — ORCID profile.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8698-2302
- Monash University. (2020). Investigating the Impact of Hydropower Investment on Economic Growth and Development: Bhutan’s Experience from the 1980s to 2017.
https://doi.org/10.26180/5EC1E86E80624
- Elsevier. (2026). Gender wage inequality in Bhutan: Regional and distributional decompositions. Journal of Asian Economics.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2026.102258
- RMIT University. (2024). Essays on Gender Inequality and Health in Bhutan.
https://doi.org/10.25439/RMT.25779990
- Monash University. (2020). Investigating the Impact of Hydropower Investment on Economic Growth and Development: Bhutan’s Experience from the 1980s to 2017. Bridges repository record.