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Browse news articles about J-PAL and our affiliated professors, and read our press releases and monthly global and research newsletters. For media inquiries, please email us.

Direct cash transfers: ‘Studies show that on average people save money for productive uses or invest’

Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director, J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab), which is based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT’s) economics department and works to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence, believes that cash transfers on...

Opinion | States need to improve finances to expedite poverty alleviation agenda

States need to improve their financial health to achieve faster poverty reduction goals, J-PAL, part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), global executive director Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal has said.

Direct cash transfers effective in poverty alleviation, says J-PAL's Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal

Hardware is hard but software is harder — India has built the hardware. Now the country must focus on the software – the people, their skills, their health and education, the economist tells Moneycontrol

Earthshot Prize Names State of Gujarat a Finalist for Groundbreaking Work on Air Pollution

Researchers affiliated with J-PAL helped the Indian state of Gujarat design and launch the world's first particulate pollution market. That project is now a finalist for one of the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award, The Earthshot Prize.

Fiscal reform: J-PAL’s Dhaliwal urges states to fix finances for faster poverty reduction; calls for scheme rationalisation and focus on human capital

Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal of J-PAL urges states to strengthen finances for poverty reduction, highlighting excessive welfare schemes and unproductive fund use. He advocates investing in human capital like schools and health centers over cash, while warning of AI-induced job losses in India that...

New Initiative to Help Governments in the Global South Reduce Pollution and Foster Economic Growth

The Emissions Market Accelerator provides a custom-built solution to make emissions markets work anywhere, for any pollutant, by supporting governments from design to full operation.

September 2025 North America Newsletter

J-PAL North America's September newsletter shares updates from the Evidence for Climate Action project including a new offering for state and local climate leaders and highlights new evaluation summaries in climate and health.

Community Jameel, FCDO and IDRC Partner with J-PAL and IDinsight to Launch AI Evidence Alliance for Social Impact in Cape Town

The AI Evidence Alliance for Social Impact will advance the evidence-informed deployment of artificial intelligence solutions for social good in Africa and Asia. AEASI was announced in Cape Town at the AI for Africa Conference, hosted by the South African G20 presidency, the African Union and UNESCO...