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.
Approximately one in ten workers participate in non-traditional work arrangements (temporary, on-call, contract, and independent contractors), which often do not include employer-provided benefits. One promising policy solution is a system of portable benefits in which benefits are tied to workers rather than employers. As a new policy solution, there is not yet research that measures the impact of such a system on workers or on how to optimize such a system to maximize participation. The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab and Matt Notowidigdo, propose a two-phase study to develop a system that workers want and will use. In Phase I, researchers will use surveys to better understand the type and structure of benefits desired by non-traditional workers and to assess both worker and employer willingness to pay. In Phase II, the research team will develop a randomized controlled trial (RCT) based on the results of worker and employer preferences obtained in Phase I. The RCT will measure take-up of the program in addition to labor market and health and well-being outcomes. The results of this evaluation will help policymakers best target benefits to workers and could provide a blueprint for similar systems across the U.S.