Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at J-PAL North America and Beyond

J-PAL North America is committed to building a diverse community where different experiences are represented and valued. We are working to promote a culture that is welcoming and inclusive to all. 

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to address the complex causes and consequences of poverty. To advance our mission, J-PAL North America must draw on diverse experiences from our staff and affiliated researchers in order to ask a broader array of questions and identify better solutions. We are working to increase the representation of individuals currently underrepresented at J-PAL North America and in the economics profession more broadly. We are committed to engaging in self-reflection, learning, and dialogue to nurture understanding across differences. Together, we are building a culture where everyone’s contributions are encouraged, respected, and valued

The following J-PAL North America definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion build on J-PAL's worldwide definitions to add specificity for our regional context:

Diversity
We define diversity as the relative representation of the various identities and attributes that make each individual unique. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language, national origin, educational background, and other dimensions or ideologies. Diversity is a necessary but insufficient condition for equity and inclusion.

Equity
We define equity as just and fair treatment, access, and opportunities that promote individual growth and advancement for people of all backgrounds. Equity also refers to the creation and implementation of systems and policies that challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination.

Inclusion
We define inclusion as the creation of a culture that welcomes, values, and supports the opinions and perspectives of all. We view inclusion as a process leading towards belonging, where everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their full, authentic selves.

Our staff have collectively developed a values statement to complement our mission and guide our approach. While our mission lays out what we do, our values statement says who we are and how we carry out our work. We are committed to generating rigorous research to answer policy-relevant questions, translating evidence into action, and, ultimately, reducing poverty. We approach our work with the following set of guiding principles:

Be humble and respectful. We listen to and learn from the people we work with, both internally and externally.

Build collaborative relationships. We value our partners’ ideas and experiences and believe a wide range of perspectives makes the research and policy impact stronger. Among staff, we approach our work as a team and provide opportunities to allow everyone to contribute meaningfully.

Embrace equity. We evaluate policies and programs that intend to increase opportunity, reduce disparities, and improve people’s lives. We equip staff with an understanding of structural and institutional barriers related to inequality, engage in long-term efforts to build a diverse network of researchers and staff, and strive to use equitable research practices that prioritize the needs of and actively engage with participant communities.

Act with integrity and transparency. We build trust through proactive communication and consistent follow- through. We implement rigorous processes to ensure research integrity, and we communicate nuanced results thoughtfully and accurately. Among staff, we exchange thoughtful feedback and provide opportunities for ownership.

Pursue learning. We challenge assumptions about which approaches to reduce poverty are effective, and we build others’ capacity to do the same. We nurture curiosity and learning by investing in our staff’s professional development goals.

While randomized evaluations are uniquely designed to establish causality in policy research, the current pool of economists employing this method is insufficient in both size and scope to address the scale of today’s myriad pressing challenges. To better address poverty and inform scientific evidence, it is imperative to expand both the number and diversity of this cohort.

J-PAL North America’s Economics Pathways offers a portfolio of training programs, mentorship, workshops, and resources for current and prospective researchers with the goal of maximizing the policy impact and relevance of randomized evaluations. These efforts aim to build a highly-trained, representative cohort of economics researchers, thereby increasing the breadth, relevance, and credibility of rigorous evidence.

Programs within this portfolio:

• Spark Interest in economics among high school and undergraduate students through introductory programs and internships;
• Build the capacity of research staff through training and resources; and
• Support emerging and mid-career PIs through funding, technical assistance, and more!

For more about the motivation behind Economics Pathways and its predecessor, the Economics Transformation Program, check out our four-part blog series on diversifying economics.

Interested in pursuing a research assistant position in economics? Read this resource.

Please visit the pages of organizations who have been working in the North America region to improve representation in the economics profession:

• American Economics Association Summer Program (AEASP)
• Committee on the Status of Women in the Economics Profession (CSWEP)
• Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economic Profession (CSMGEP)
• Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics (DITE)
• Hunter College and the African School of Economics partnership
• Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics
• IDDEAS@Booth/Kellogg
• PhD Excellence Initiative
• Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers (PREDOC)
• The Research in Color Foundation
  • See also:  A Conversation with Research in Color on the importance of mentorship in the economic profession
• The Sadie Collective

To learn more about innovative approaches and considerations for mentorship program development, check out part four of our diversifying economics blog series.