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

Mary Ann Bates speaking behind a podium with MIT and J-PAL logos in the background

Mary Ann Bates, J-PAL ‘21, on shaping the use of data and evidence in federal and state government

This installment of our Alumni Spotlight series features Mary Ann Bates, former executive director of J-PAL North America, and currently the executive director of the State of California’s Cradle-to-Career System.
Group of students who participated in Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics programming

Diversifying economics, part three: The Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics on its history, impact, and pursuit of collaboration

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Kristine West, the Director of Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics, discusses the history and impact of the Center and future collaborations with J-PAL North America's Economics Transformation Project.
A man points to code on a desktop computer with two women

Newly published data on health care hotspotting study underscores the importance of research transparency

The team behind the evaluation on health care hotspotting describes why they prioritized publishing replication data and lessons learned from the process.
Four people in conversation

Diversifying economics, part two: The Kauffman Foundation on bolstering diversity in research

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Chhaya Kolavalli, a Senior Program Officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, discusses the importance of increasing diversity in research.
Four headshots of J-PAL North America health team members

J-PAL North America Staff Spotlight: Health Team

This Staff Spotlight highlights four J-PAL North America team members who work together to evaluate promising programs aimed at making health care in the United States more efficient, effective, and equitable.
Students work on schoolwork together around a table

Diversifying economics, part one: How J-PAL's collaborative pipeline program was built

Jatnna Amador and Toby Chaiken discuss background of J-PAL North America's Economics Transformation Project, how their lived experiences informed this work, and opportunities for continued learning.
Headshot of John Tebes in a suit in front of a brick wall

John Tebes, J-PAL ’16, on using economic research to reduce inequality in the United States

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John Tebes is a former research analyst for Amy Finkelstein at J-PAL North America. Now, as an economics PhD candidate at Harvard and an incoming Assistant Research Professor of Economics at Notre Dame, he researches how public policy can exacerbate or mitigate U.S. poverty traps. He reflects on his...
A group of workers in blue jumpsuits; one writing on whiteboard

How randomized evaluations build evidence to inform workforce program design, policy, and investment

J-PAL North America and WorkRise recently convened a panel to discuss sectoral employment training and the role of rigorous research in guiding the development of pathways to high-quality jobs. Here are four key takeaways.