Using Randomized Evaluation to Learn about the Changing Nature of Work: J-PAL Launches the Work of the Future Initiative

J-PAL North America’s Work of the Future Initiative supports randomized evaluations of strategies and innovations that address the changing nature of work in North America. At this launch event, we heard from leading researchers David Autor (MIT), Lawrence Katz (Harvard), and Matthew Notowidigdo (Northwestern), as well as representatives from nonprofits, government, and industry leaders. We discussed the challenges associated with the evolving labor market and the importance of building partnerships between NGOs, the private sector, the government, and academia to generate evidence on these priority policy questions via randomized evaluations.

Over the course of the day, keynotes and panel sessions provided an overview of the existing rigorous literature on these topics and laid out potential paths forward for research. Topics included retraining or reskilling workers; facilitating worker transitions; improving productivity, skills, earnings, or employment prospects; and enhancing opportunities in alternative work arrangements.

You can find the final agenda for the convening posted on the right hand side of this page!