April 2025 Global Monthly Newsletter
New Alliance for Data, Evaluation, and Policy Training will advance data-driven decision-making
In late March, J-PAL launched the Alliance for Data, Evaluation, and Policy Training (ADEPT) with Community Jameel to train the next generation of researchers and decision-makers to innovate, test, and scale effective policies. ADEPT brings together universities, governments, and other partners united by this shared vision.
Early members of the Alliance include Insper, a leading research and training institution in Brazil; the National School of Statistics and Applied Economics (ENSEA) of Abidjan in collaboration with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire; the Paris School of Economics; and Princeton University. Together with J-PAL, members will create innovative pathways for learners that include hosting virtual and in-person courses, developing new academic programs, and cultivating a network of evidence-informed policy professionals to drive change globally. Learn more »
J-PAL North America reaffirms the value of rigorous, policy-relevant research
Recent changes affecting the United States’ data and evaluation infrastructure, from database closures to funding cuts, threaten the future of policy-relevant evaluations. In a new post, J-PAL North America’s leadership emphasizes the value of rigorous research in identifying policies that achieve their intended goals—ensuring that public dollars are spent on solutions that deliver results. The blog shares five examples of studies by J-PAL affiliated professors that have informed policies on health care, housing, and employment in the United States—impacting tens of millions of Americans. Read more »
A new partnership to advance evidence-informed policy in Benin
Last month, J-PAL Africa and Benin’s Ministry of Development and Coordination of Government Action launched a new partnership to co-identify, generate, and integrate actionable research into policy. Marking the launch, the Benin Evidence Forum brought together government officials and J-PAL Africa leadership to reflect on how data and impact evaluations can support policy priorities in Benin. Read more »
EVIDENCE-INFORMED DECISION-MAKING
Broadcasting change: Scaling up a family planning media campaign
📍Burkina Faso
Policy issue: Although contraception has many benefits, social norms and misinformation discourage its use in many countries. Inexpensive, fast, and scalable information programs can help raise women’s awareness of the benefits and misconceptions of contraception.
Evaluation: Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation on the impact of a family planning radio campaign, developed and implemented by Development Media International (DMI), that challenged misconceptions about contraception.
Results: The campaign increased contraception use and decreased misperceptions about contraception.
Research in action: A new Evidence to Policy Case Study from J-PAL’s Health sector describes how DMI used this evidence to inform the scale-up of the radio campaign across Burkina Faso, and adapted the campaign to seven southern and eastern African countries. Learn more »
Research by: Rachel Glennerster (University of Chicago), Joanna Murray (Development Media International), and Victor Pouliquen (University of Essex)
FEATURED BLOGS
Making every Egyptian pound spent on development count
How can policymakers ensure that national programs drive real change for families? The Egypt Impact Lab (EIL)—a collaboration between J-PAL MENA and Egypt’s Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, with support from Community Jameel and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development—works with government partners to design and evaluate programs. In a new blog post, Mays Abou Hegab (Deputy Executive Director, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development), Nayera Adly Husseiny (Senior Policy and Communications Manager, J-PAL MENA), Nader Diab (Head of Programmes, Community Jameel), and Aya Essam (Policy Associate, J-PAL MENA) share how EIL’s 2024 integration into the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development marked a turning point in Egypt’s commitment to evidence-based governance. Read more »
Protecting the Amazon with cash grants
A series of randomized evaluations has shown that cash grants enabling landowners to adopt sustainable practices—known as payments for ecosystem services (PES)—offer a promising, community-driven approach to environmental conservation. A new blog post from J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean shares how a partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Planning and Budget to rigorously evaluate the PES program Bolsa Verde is supporting vulnerable communities while reducing deforestation in the Amazon. Read more »
MORE ON THE J-PAL BLOG
Driving equity in STEM and youth development in Los Angeles
Postdoc spotlight: Alipio Ferreira, J-PAL '23, on environmental research in Latin America and the Caribbean
FEATURED RESEARCHER
"[Evidence] suggests that having successful women in STEM engage in activities like career fairs, classroom visits, and science experiments may impact young girls’ aspirations and interest in STEM.”
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, J-PAL affiliated professor Danila Serra (Texas A&M University) joined J-PAL Africa on X for an “Ask Me Anything” session, where she shared her research on women’s education, leadership, and expanding economic opportunities in male-dominated fields. Danila discussed the impact of role models and Instagram on women’s decisions to study STEM and how to promote women's leadership in savings groups in Uganda. Read more »
WELCOMING OUR NEW AFFILIATED PROFESSORS
In summer 2024, we welcomed 35 talented researchers to the J-PAL network. We will feature a few of them here each month.
Mireille Jacobson
University of Southern California
Raymond Kluender
Harvard University
Monica Lambon-Quayefio
University of Ghana
FEATURED EVENT
Europe policy roundtable: Shaping climate action
🗓️ May 14
Join the IZA Institute of Labor Economics, J-PAL Europe, and J-PAL’s King Climate Action Initiative for a policy roundtable on how governments, funders, and implementers use rigorous evidence to shape and carry out effective climate policies. The discussion will explore how researchers and policymakers can collaborate to meet urgent climate challenges, highlighting J-PAL’s Air and Water Labs as a case study. Learn more and register »
FEATURED TRAINING
ICYMI: Open enrollment for the DEDP MicroMasters Program
🗓️ Term starts May 13
The MicroMasters Program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) is open for enrollment, with the next series of courses starting on May 13. Enroll today »
Interested in learning more? DEDP staff will discuss scholarships, important dates, and answer questions live during a webinar on May 6. Register »
🗞️ MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR NETWORK
Ending period stigma in schools [Podcast]
CEPR
Vocational skills training has multiple economic benefits
International Monetary Fund
📄 NEW RESEARCH PAPERS
Estimating Impact with Surveys Versus Digital Traces: Evidence from Randomized Cash Transfers in Togo
Emily Aiken, Suzanne Bellue, Joshua E. Blumenstock, Dean Karlan, and Christopher Udry
Therapy, Mental Health, and Human Capital Accumulation Among Adolescent Girls in Uganda
Sarah Baird, Berk Özler, Chiara Dell’Aira, Luca Parisotto, and Danish Us-Salam
Can Reducing Information Frictions Strengthen State Capacity? Experimental Evidence from a Very Large Public Works Program
Eric Dodge, Yusuf Neggers, Rohini Pande, and Charity Troyer Moore
Chat Over Coffee? Diffusion of Agronomic Practices and Market Spillovers in Rwanda
Esther Duflo, Daniel Keniston, Tavneet Suri, and Céline Zipfel