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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 photo of Dr. Owen Garrick smiling

Partner Spotlight: Dr. Owen Garrick on advancing bold, actionable, and community-centered solutions through research

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In this Evidence Champion series, J-PAL North America is recognizing individuals in our network who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of evidence-based policymaking. This year’s partner recipient is Dr. Owen Garrick, a leader in clinical research committed to ensuring health care...
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Researcher Spotlight: Damon Jones on better understanding racial equity through rigorous research

In this Evidence Champion series, J-PAL North America is recognizing individuals in our network who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of evidence-based policymaking. This year's researcher recipient is Damon Jones, an associate professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the...
SALDRU newsletter

Six years of the African Scholars Program: Advancing experimental research capacity across Africa

Through the African Scholars Program, J-PAL Africa is creating more opportunities for African researchers to advance the research agenda on the continent through randomized evaluations.
J-PAL staff participates in the annual retreat.

Building evidence, building impact: J-PAL North America’s 2025 year in review

J-PAL North America Co-Executive Directors Laura Feeney and Vincent Quan reflect on the last year in this post.
Cape Town, South Africa, 2025

Turning data into insights: How Cape Town is building a smarter, more equitable city

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Cape Town’s 2017 water crisis prompted the City government to look at its data differently. Behind the millions of meter readings and billing records lay unanswered questions: How successful were the water conservation efforts across different areas in Cape Town? What does equitable water pricing...
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AI for social good: Governing more effectively and efficiently

Artificial intelligence promises to help governments meet challenges and deliver better for citizens. AI tools could be leveraged at multiple points in the public financial management cycle—from collecting revenue through taxation, to spending those revenues on public services. They could also make...
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Moving from convenings to classroom change in partner preschool networks

High-quality early childhood education is essential. Randomized evaluations show that simple, low-cost activities, like reading, singing, and playing, can boost children’s cognitive, language, social, and motor skills. How can we deliver high-quality preschool education at scale?
Colleagues stand in a line in front of a projector smiling.

K-CAI at COP30: How evidence is powering climate solutions

In Belém, Brazil, where the Amazon rivers converge and forests help regulate the earth’s temperature, COP30 last month was a unique summit and call to action. Climate change is not just an environmental crisis—it is a development crisis. Low-income people in low- and middle-income countries are...