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J-PAL Voices

J-PAL Voices

By: Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
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About this listen

 Rigorous research paired with visionary public policy has shaped countless policies and programs worldwide. In this podcast from MIT's Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), you’ll come to know the stories behind the impact. Hear from advocates and program coordinators, researchers, and most importantly, the participants themselves about why these programs matter to them and why they should matter for all of us.2020 Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Researcher Spotlight: Gautam Rao on co-producing evidence with policymakers

    Researcher Spotlight: Gautam Rao on co-producing evidence with policymakers
    Jul 30 2025
    In this episode, host Sambhav Choudhury speaks with Gautam Rao, Associate Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley. From his unconventional journey from electronics engineering to economics, Gautam shares insights on his behavioral economics and mental health research in India. He discusses his collaborative study on psychotherapy's long-term effects in Goa, explores effective strategies for building partnerships with policymakers, and emphasizes the importance of fieldwork in challenging academic assumptions.
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    15 mins
  • Researcher Spotlight: Harini Kannan on designing and scaling education programs

    Researcher Spotlight: Harini Kannan on designing and scaling education programs
    Jul 23 2025
    In this episode, host Sambhav Choudhury speaks with Harini Kannan, Research Scientist at J-PAL South Asia. Harini shares her journey from being inspired by budget speeches as a child to pursuing a career in development economics. Drawing from her extensive experience collaborating with government partners across India, Harini offers valuable insights into building effective partnerships and scaling evidence-informed programs.
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    11 mins
  • Researcher Spotlight: Ariel Zucker on field-driven solutions in development economics

    Researcher Spotlight: Ariel Zucker on field-driven solutions in development economics
    Jul 16 2025
    In this episode, host Sambhav Choudhury speaks with Ariel Zucker, Assistant Professor of Economics at UC Santa Cruz. Ariel discusses her journey from an early interest in global health disparities to becoming a development economist specializing in experimental approaches. She shares insights from her research on health interventions for diabetes patients and groundwater conservation in India, highlighting how she balances theoretical frameworks with practical field realities to create meaningful, scalable solutions.
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    15 mins
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