The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of more than 1,000 researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. Anchored by a network of more than 1,000 researchers at universities around the world, J-PAL conducts randomized impact evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty.
Our affiliated professors are based at over 120 universities and conduct randomized evaluations around the world to design, evaluate, and improve programs and policies aimed at reducing poverty. They set their own research agendas, raise funds to support their evaluations, and work with J-PAL staff on research, policy outreach, and training.
Our research, policy, and training work is fundamentally better when it is informed by a broad range of perspectives.
Research Associate, J-PAL South Asia
Ankesh Kumar is a Research Consultant with extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative research. He holds an MSc in Economics from TERI School of Advanced Studies and received his Bachelor’s in Economics from Banaras Hindu University.
Prior to his recent role at the Asian Development Research Institute, where he worked on a quantitative project across all districts of Bihar in collaboration with the London School of Economics, Ankesh worked at Inclusion Economics India Center. There, he contributed to gender-based impact evaluations and rural banking simulations. He also has experience working with the PRADAN. Ankesh has managed large-scale data collection, provided training for enumerators, and developed high-frequency checks for real-time data monitoring. He has fieldwork experience in Bihar, Jharkhand, MP and Chhattisgarh, overseeing surveys and impact evaluations.