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 900 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 Board of Directors, which is composed of J-PAL affiliated professors and senior management, provides overall strategic guidance to J-PAL, our sector programs, and regional offices.
J-PAL recognizes that there is a lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of economics and in our field of work. Read about what actions we are taking to address this.
We host events around the world and online to share results and policy lessons from randomized evaluations, to build new partnerships between researchers and practitioners, and to train organizations on how to design and conduct randomized evaluations, and use evidence from impact evaluations.
Browse news articles about J-PAL and our affiliated professors, read our press releases and monthly global and research newsletters, and connect with us for media inquiries.
Based at leading universities around the world, our experts are economists who use randomized evaluations to answer critical questions in the fight against poverty. Connect with us for all media inquiries and we'll help you find the right person to shed insight on your story.
J-PAL is based at MIT in Cambridge, MA and has seven regional offices at leading universities in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
J-PAL is based at MIT in Cambridge, MA and has seven regional offices at leading universities in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Our global office is based at the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It serves as the head office for our network of seven independent regional offices.
Led by affiliated professors, J-PAL sectors guide our research and policy work by conducting literature reviews; by managing research initiatives that promote the rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions by affiliates; and by summarizing findings and lessons from randomized evaluations and producing cost-effectiveness analyses to help inform relevant policy debates.
Led by affiliated professors, J-PAL sectors guide our research and policy work by conducting literature reviews; by managing research initiatives that promote the rigorous evaluation of innovative interventions by affiliates; and by summarizing findings and lessons from randomized evaluations and producing cost-effectiveness analyses to help inform relevant policy debates.
How do policies affecting private sector firms impact productivity gaps between higher-income and lower-income countries? How do firms’ own policies impact economic growth and worker welfare?
How can we identify effective policies and programs in low- and middle-income countries that provide financial assistance to low-income families, insuring against shocks and breaking poverty traps?
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.
A ten-year follow-up of a study co-authored by J-PAL affiliates Chris Blattman and Julian Jamison shows continuing positive effects of cognitive behavioral therapy, combined with a one-time cash payment, among young men at risk of crime in Liberia.
The Daily Beast reviews the work of J-PAL Affiliate Marcella Alsan, who has dedicated her studies to the intersection of economics and public health and the racial disparities of health outcomes.
The Dhaka Tribune summarizes a recent study by J-PAL affiliate Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak, who found that supplying masks at low prices in Bangladesh could increase compliance with public health guidelines.
From May 10-11, J-PAL Europe staff met with representatives of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to discuss potential collaborations on evidence-based antipoverty research.
J-PAL affiliate Stefan Dercon's new book, Gambling on Development: Why Some Countries Win and Others Lose, discusses some of the factors that influence countries' economic growth. His book is reviewed in African Business.
The government of Gujarat, India, signed an agreement on May 23 with J-PAL and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago Trust in India (EPIC India) to set up India’s first carbon trading market. J-PAL affiliate Michael Greenstone discusses the agreement with the Hindustan Times.
J-PAL North America's May newsletter features a new evidence review on summer youth employment programs; a blog series on the Economics Transformation Project; and a staff spotlight on our health team.
The market will be the first of its kind among emerging economies, outside of China. Leading researchers from the University of Chicago, Yale, and J-PAL will help design the program, allowing Gujarat to tap global expertise.