Blog

News

News, ideas, and analysis from J-PAL staff and affiliated professors. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly email updates.

Headshot of Matthew Notowidigo in front of a bookcase

Introducing Matthew Notowidigdo, new co-scientific director of J-PAL North America

In this interview, the new Co-Scientific Director of J-PAL North America, Matthew Notowidigdo discusses his background and previous work with J-PAL North America, and he and Amy Finkelstein outline their priorities and goals for their work together as co-scientific directors.
Photo of Larry Katz with a background of rocks

Reflecting back and looking forward: A decade of generating evidence with J-PAL North America

Lawrence Katz, former co-scientific director of J-PAL North America, reflects on nearly ten years advising the regional office and provides key insights for the future of evidence-based policymaking in the region.
Two individuals holding pens, looking at charts and clipboards

How policymakers can ensure they’re supporting housing policies that work: Demystifying randomized evaluations

By
  • Katie Fallon
Katie Fallon (Housing Matters) sits down with Bridget Mercier (J-PAL North America) to demystify randomized evaluations and underscore their value for policymakers and practitioners.
Two individuals at a table, one with a pen and clipboard with paper with text "Resume"

Researching racial equity: Evaluating “Ban the Box” policies

In J-PAL North America’s researching racial equity blog series, we discuss how research plays a critical role in identifying structural inequities in systems and policies that disproportionately affect communities of color. In part one of this series, J-PAL staff interview Amanda Agan to discuss her...
Five headshots of J-PAL North America's Finance and Operations Team

J-PAL North America Staff Spotlight: Finance and Operations Team

The fifth installment of our Staff Spotlight series features five J-PAL North America staff members who support our work through their roles on the finance and operations team, which provides key support to the work of J-PAL North America, from hiring to budget management to fundraising.
Elizabeth Linos is smiling for the camera in a short sleeve blue shirt standing against a brick wall

Affiliate Spotlight: Elizabeth Linos on understanding evidence use in government

In this Affiliate Spotlight, Elizabeth Linos, Faculty Director of The People Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, discusses her research interests in understanding the government workforce, improving service delivery, and improving the process of evidence-based policymaking.
Screenshot from Learning Path video with thumbnail video of speaker Laina Sonterblum and slide with text " Learning Objectives. 1) The elements of highly impactful tutoring programs. 2) How to implement these elements into your own tutoring program. 3) How to assess the implementation and impact of your program

New tutoring resource: A learning path for evidence-based tutoring implementation

J-PAL North America and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) created the Implementing Evidence-Based Tutoring for High Impact learning path to give local education agencies and tutoring providers easily accessible information about effective program components and how to...
Headshots of Cat (left) and Kim (right)

Get to know J-PAL North America’s associate directors of policy and research

Kim Dadisman and Cat Darrow, the associate directors of J-PAL North America’s policy & communications and research & training teams, discuss their backgrounds before coming to J-PAL North America, highlights from their work at J-PAL so far, and their top priorities for the year ahead.