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

Woman carrying backet of tropical fruit in the Amazon forest

How can we best conserve the Amazon? Open policy questions for randomized evaluations

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The Amazon Forest–covering over nine countries in Latin America–has an essential role in the environment and climate. Which policies are the most effective in protecting it and reducing its deforestation? The blog post outlines some open policy questions for randomized evaluations to conserve the...
Headshots of Cat (left) and Kim (right)

Get to know J-PAL North America’s associate directors of policy and research

Kim Dadisman and Cat Darrow, the associate directors of J-PAL North America’s policy & communications and research & training teams, discuss their backgrounds before coming to J-PAL North America, highlights from their work at J-PAL so far, and their top priorities for the year ahead.
Doctor checks baby's heartbeat, held by mother.

Promoting rigorous, actionable research in maternal and newborn health in the United States

Affiliated researchers Jessica Cohen and Maggie McConnell and our Health Care Delivery Initiative staff highlight the importance of randomized evaluations in maternal and newborn health and discuss future research generation in collaboration with social scientists, clinicians, and policy-makers.
Two individuals presenting a poster to a table of others

J-PAL’s use of inclusive language to communicate research results

Inclusive language helps us report research findings with accuracy and increases the accessibility of our communications. In this post, J-PAL North America and J-PAL Global staff describe how our offices strive to use inclusive language throughout our communications.
Attendees are watching a panel of four people for the COP27 in Egypt

The road to COP27: Tackling climate change in Egypt

In Egypt and globally, low-income populations disproportionately experience a range of climate change-related hazards. Egypt is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, with a projected increase in heat waves, dust storms, and extreme weather events. COP27 in Sharm ElSheikh is a...
J-PAL Affiliate Enrique Seira stands with trees and grass in the background.

Affiliate Spotlight: Enrique Seira on finding ways to improve access to justice in Mexico

Enrique Seira is a professor of economics at Michigan State University and founder of Qué Funciona para el Desarollo. He utilizes his research on courts, democracy, corruption, and credit markets to help steer the policy space in Mexico toward more rigorous evidence use.
Woman leading a workshop in LAC

Reflecting on a year working for gender equality in LAC

One of J-PAL Latin America and the Caribbean’s priorities is to advance rigorous evidence on effective approaches to improving gender equality in our region. As we approach the end of 2022, we reflect on lessons learned and emerging priorities.
MTN and Airtel Money mobile money agent on the edge of Kampala, Uganda

Digital payments in sub-Saharan Africa: Trends over the past decade

Between 2008 and 2010, poverty in Kenya was reduced by two percent due to better access to mobile money services. To better understand the potential pathways and scale of potential impact, we summarise the findings on the expansion of digital payments, such as mobile money, in sub-Saharan Africa...