Our work is fundamentally better when it is informed by diverse perspectives. We are taking action to address the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of economics and in our field of work and have made strong progress on the goals we set in 2020.
This includes working toward increasing the diversity of our research network, staff, and the places in which we conduct research; and prioritizing equity and inclusion in our work. We are committed to improving DEI across many dimensions, including:
- Increasing diversity in J-PAL’s research network;
- Strengthening inclusion in our research and partnerships;
- Strengthening inclusive policy outreach and communications;
- Increasing staff diversity; and
- Ensuring an inclusive workplace in which all staff feel welcomed, valued, and empowered.
Reflecting the global nature of our work, the 700+ researchers in the J-PAL network are based in 37 countries and have carried out more than 1,100 studies in more than 91 countries. We have opened regional research centers in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, with leadership and staff from those regions. Similarly, our hundreds of policy, implementation, and funding partners are based in dozens of countries.
Strengthening the Research and Policy Pipeline in Southeast Asia
J-PAL Southeast Asia (SEA) has established a strong research and policy pipeline in Indonesia to help build a culture of rigorous evaluation. To fill entry-level research, policy, and training positions, we seek out recent Indonesian graduates who have the interest and potential to do further work in economics and public policy.
Staff participate in training and receive active mentorship during their tenure at J-PAL, including guidance applying to graduate school; 21 former J-PAL SEA staff have gone on to master’s and PhD programs. Our researchers have also partnered with more than thirty Indonesian academics on randomized evaluations, several of whom have subsequently launched their own randomized evaluations and continue to collaborate with J-PAL.
Building a More Representative Research Network Through Regional Scholars Programs
Creating pathways for researchers underrepresented in economics to gain experience running randomized evaluations is a core component of our vision for a more inclusive research network. This includes creating new channels for grant funding and mentorship to locally-based researchers outside of the J-PAL network through dedicated regional scholars programs.
Through the African Scholars Program, PhD holders based at African academic institutions or who attended high school in Africa can access research and career development resources through our Digital Identification and Finance Initiative and, new in 2021, our Jobs and Opportunity Initiative.
Through the Indian Scholars Program, launched in 2021, J-PAL South Asia provided research funding, training, and networking opportunities for fourteen local researchers and academics, and offers hands-on randomized evaluation experience for doctoral students through the Research for Impact Fellowship.
We look forward to growing our regional scholars programs and expanding the pipeline of underrepresented researchers in 2022 and welcome partners in this work.
Regional scholar spotlights
Nkechi S. Owoo, a DigiFI African Scholar, is a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana with a specialization in health and demographic economics. Learn more.
Jackline Oluoch-Aridi, a JOI-funded researcher, is director of the Nairobi Global Research Centre at the University of Notre Dame with a focus on maternal health and policy. Learn more.
Prarthna Agarwal Goel, a J-PAL South Asia Indian Scholar, is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University with a focus on gender, environmental, and labor economics. Learn more.
Staff Recruitment and Education
We work to ensure staff recruitment is unbiased and inclusive by frequently reviewing, updating, and further standardizing our hiring processes to follow industry best practices. This includes using qualitative and quantitative rubrics for application reviews and technical tests; conducting double reviews of applications to ensure consistent results; and blinding hiring assessments to remove identifying information.
We reviewed pieces of the recruitment process to identify opportunities to further improve, including but not limited to refining job descriptions, increasing transparency about the process and timeline in communications with candidates, and creating a list of resources to help candidates prepare for technical tests and interviews. Further, we are reimagining our undergraduate internship program to create a pipeline of future full-time candidates from more diverse backgrounds, including by partnering with organizations supporting students of color in economics.
Credits:
J-PAL