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

A Black doctor takes the blood pressure of a seated Black man

Reflecting on a decade of impactful research at J-PAL North America: Ensuring rigorous research design and effective implementation

In part two of J-PAL North America’s ten-year anniversary blog series, we dive into study design and implementation and look at past studies to distill key lessons on ensuring rigorous research design and effective implementation to build an evidence base on poverty reduction strategies.
Clockwise, starting top left: Doctor and patient in masks; student and tutor; people in jumpsuits looking at a whiteboard; people in suits on steps

Reflecting on a decade of impactful research at J-PAL North America

In the introductory post of the J-PAL North America ten-year anniversary blog series, our scientific leadership reflects on some of the most impactful research conducted by academic researchers in our network and supported by J-PAL North America
Student at computer

Overcoming administrative burdens: Strategies to increase FAFSA filing in the United States

A new J-PAL policy insight highlights evidence from randomized evaluations on interventions to increase FAFSA filing rates. In this post, we situate the insight within the larger context of higher education and barriers to accessing public programs, also known as “administrative burdens.”
Three people smiling looking at computer screen together

Fostering inclusion in economics: Matt Notowidigdo on the value (and limitations) of mentorship

In part three of a series on fostering inclusion in the field of economics, Matt Notowidigdo (University of Chicago) discusses the value of mentorship on advancing diversity and inclusion in the field of economics.
Women speaks in front of room

Fostering inclusion in economics: Alicia Sasser Modestino on gender and the dynamics of economics seminars

In part two of a series on fostering inclusion in the field of economics, Alicia Sasser-Modestino (Northeastern University) discusses gender dynamics in economics seminars.
A group of people watching a speaker

Fostering inclusion in economics: Marianne Bertrand on addressing professional conduct with the American Economics Association

In part one of a series on fostering inclusion in the field of economics, we sat down with Marianne Bertrand (University of Chicago) about addressing professional conduct with the American Economics Association (AEA).
From left to right: Hannah Reuter, Fatima Cody Stanford, Mark Clapp, Jessica Cohen

Building research partnerships between clinicians and economists: A recap from a 2023 ASHEcon panel

At the American Association of Health Economists 2023 Annual Conference (ASHEcon), J-PAL North America staff organized a roundtable discussion on building research partnerships between clinicians and economists. This panel featured researchers from two randomized evaluations that brought together...
Person looking at computer screen with "Health Care Evaluation Toolkit" landing page

Introducing the Health Care Evaluation Toolkit: Resources for randomized evaluations in health care

J-PAL North America released a new Health Care Evaluation Toolkit that provides guidance and advice for social scientists conducting randomized evaluations of health care delivery interventions, within health systems, or using health care data, leveraging case studies from the United States.