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News, ideas, and analysis from J-PAL staff and affiliated professors. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly email updates.

Preschool in Brazil

Quality early childhood education: The role of teacher training

With nearly all Brazilian children aged 4 and 5 now enrolled in preschool, new questions are emerging about how to ensure quality in this stage of education. According to Brazil’s National Institute for Educational Studies and Research, 93 percent of children in this age group attend preschool...
Dr. Oluwaremilekun Adebisi

African Scholar Spotlight: Dr. Oluwaremilekun Adebisi

Through our African Scholars Program, we hope to help create more opportunities for African researchers to advance the research agenda on the continent through randomized evaluations. In this spotlight, we speak with Oluwaremilekun Adebisi of the University of Ilorin in Nigeria.
PhD students and faculty gather to mark the launch of the UM6P-J-PAL Applied Lab for Agriculture’s African Scholars Program

Creating partnership opportunities for early-career researchers in Africa

On September 17, 2025, the UM6P-J-PAL Applied Lab for Agriculture (UJALA) unveiled its new African Scholars Program at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P)’s campus in Rabat. The program will support early‑career African researchers to become leaders in rigorous, policy‑relevant randomized...
headshot of Abdul-Basi

African Scholar Spotlight: Dr. Abdul-Basit Tampuli Abukari

This post is part of our ongoing series showcasing the work and perspectives of economists from the African continent who are leading randomized evaluations. Through our African Scholars Program, we hope to help create more opportunities for African researchers to advance the research agenda on the...
A woman teaches a class of young children in a nursery.

When childcare subsidies and employment services are not enough: How social norms shape women's choices in Egypt

How do we ensure we are addressing the correct barriers to women's empowerment in Egypt? This blog unpacks why childcare might not be the right solution to supporting women's employment and increasing gender equity in Greater Cairo.
Women entrepreneur standing in front of garments smiling

Beyond easy metrics: Evaluating what matters for women entrepreneurs

By
  • Tanvi Jaluka
Tanvi Jaluka shares how she and her team at CARE conducted qualitative research as part of a baseline survey for Strive Women program in Peru, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
Lazare Kovo

African Scholar Spotlight: Lazare Kovo

We speak with Solomon Lazare Kovo from Emory University about how growing up in Benin shaped his passion for development economics. He explains how rigorous impact evaluations can help answer big policy questions, especially on gender gaps, learning, and employment.
Kohlipura village, India. GOTN: The survey team debriefing after a long day of work.

Researcher Spotlight: Gautam Rao on co-producing evidence with policymakers

In this episode of the Researcher Spotlight Series, host Sambhav Choudhury speaks with Gautam Rao, associate professor of economics at UC Berkeley. From his unconventional journey from electronics engineering to economics, Gautam shares insights on his behavioral economics and mental health research...