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 1,100 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 1,100 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 130 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.
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?
We host events around the world and online to share results and policy lessons from randomized evaluations, build new partnerships between researchers and practitioners, and train organizations on how to design and conduct randomized evaluations.
Make Measurement Matter: Designing Surveys for Better Evidence (MMM) 2026 is a three-day, in-person course by CLEAR/J-PAL South Asia that equips development professionals with the theoretical knowledge and practical tools to design robust surveys to drive data-use and evidence-based decisions...
J-PAL North America will host its annual Research Staff Training (RST) as an in-person, three-day training program designed specifically for research staff working on randomized evaluations. Sessions blend lectures, hands-on exercises, and peer learning.
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(14 July 2025 - 9:30pm to 15 July 2025 - 4:00am EDT)
Jakarta
J-PAL Southeast Asia is organizing a Research-to-Policy Showcase, "Uncovering What Works: Supporting the Last-Mile Delivery of ECED Programs," on 15 July 2025. The event will convene stakeholders in the early childhood and development sector to exchange knowledge on innovations in the field, share...
Philanthropic organizations often face a dilemma: Each challenge has many potentially good solutions—but most organizations have limited time and resources to effectively implement multiple programs at once. This webinar, co-hosted by J-PAL and the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), will explore how...
The J-PAL SEA Executive Education Course will provide an in-depth look at why and when randomized evaluations can be used to rigorously measure social impact, methods and considerations for the design and implementation, and how findings can inform evidence-based policies and programs.
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(24 October 2022 - 9:00pm to 25 October 2022 - 2:00am EDT)
Hotel Borobudur Jakarta (map: https://goo.gl/maps/BZ4oLjo2mBtDM5NG8)
Climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress in global poverty alleviation. To support building climate resiliency and a sustainable environment, this in-person conference will provide insights into the Government of Indonesia’s policy priorities, identify critical policy questions, and...
This webinar will discuss the role of data in supporting evidence-informed policymaking. We will delve into successful cases of data sharing, explore questions on how to ease the process of data sharing, and challenges surrounding data security and data privacy.
The webinar will discuss the role of academics and think tanks in supporting the Government of Indonesia to design policies and programs. We will discuss the importance of fostering a mutually-aligned interest between academia and policymakers, and share challenges and opportunities that might arise...
J-PAL Southeast Asia is hosting a public webinar, “Reshaping Gender Attitudes to Promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: What Can We Learn from Evidence?” featuring H.E. I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia) as keynote...
The economic damage of Covid-19 represents the largest economic shock the world has experienced in decades. In Indonesia, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant economic disruption, with adverse impact on jobs and livelihoods, especially among the most vulnerable segments of society. This...