Observational studies suggested workplace wellness programs would improve health and reduce health care spending. Yet two randomized evaluations found they had no impact on these outcomes. Our policy insight synthesizes the results and lessons: www.povertyactionlab.org/policy-insig...
3/3 Rigorous research can help policymakers identify cost‑effective interventions and gaps in evidence where more evaluation is critical to inform effective, equitable #climate action.
👉 Explore the Evidence Review: www.povertyactionlab.org/publication/...
2/3 The authors highlight evidence across the five sectors most often included in Climate Action Plans:
⚡ Energy
🚍 Transportation
🗑️ Solid waste
💧 Water and wastewater
🌾 Agriculture and conservation
Left: Photo of person inspecting AC units Right: "Evidence Review. Reviewing the Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Local Climate Action within the United States"
🧵 1/3 A new J-PAL North America evidence review presents key policy insights from an academic analysis of Climate Action Plans developed by researchers across the J-PAL network.
Left: "Featured Publication: Reducing and Preventing Homelessness: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations" Right: Photo of publication
Our evidence review synthesizes 40 rigorous evaluations of 18 programs related to homelessness in North America. We examine:
1️⃣Emergency & comprehensive services
2️⃣Legal representation
3️⃣Permanent supportive housing
4️⃣Rapid re-housing
5️⃣Housing vouchers
www.povertyactionlab.org/publication/...
A randomized evaluation demonstrated that when consumers are fully informed about the high fees associated with payday loans💸, there is significantly less demand for them, indicating that financial literacy is 🔑 to preventing these predatory practices: www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/i...
Women across the country may encounter gender norms that inhibit their ambitions 🙍. A randomized evaluation found that single women diminished their career ambition and assertiveness when these traits were visible to men.
🔗Read more: www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/i...
Left: Photo of an electric vehicle being charged. Right: "Featured Event. Impact by Design: Launching a Research Partnership for Accessible Climate Action in Orlando. March 3, 2026, 2-3pm ET, Live over Zoom."
‼️ Happening tomorrow! Join us for a webinar featuring #ClimateActionLearningLab inaugural participants & their research partners. Explore evidence & evaluation opportunities in the space and learn more about the Learning Lab.
🕰️ We go live at 2pm ET.
🔗Register here: mit.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
White highlighted text on orange background: "Apply Now!"
📣Join our team at J-PAL North America📣
We are #hiring two Research Associates based in Cambridge, MA. Please share with your networks & apply by 03/02!
🔗 https://www.povertyactionlab.org/careers/research-associate-j-pal-north-america-job-105501
Left: Photo of person inspecting AC units Right: "Evidence Review. Reviewing the Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Local Climate Action within the United States"
As state & local jurisdictions drive #ClimateAction in the US, rigorous evidence is crucial to identify the most effective solutions. A 🆕 evidence review synthesizes key insights on local Climate Action Plans & presents gaps in the evidence base.
🔗 More: www.povertyactionlab.org/publication/...
Left: Photo of Jacob Wallace Right: "New Blog! Affiliate Spotlight: Jacob Wallace on strengthening Medicaid through evidence use and generation"
J-PAL affiliated researcher @jacobwswallace.bsky.social has focused on helping #Medicaid agencies conduct evaluations + use evidence to improve Medicaid programs. Learn more about his work & the key research questions he is focusing on in the Medicaid space: www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/2-19-26...
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Impact Evaluation Methods Table"
What various methods 📈📊 can be used to conduct impact evaluations? What assumptions must hold true for each method to be valid? ✅ In this table, we describe types of impact evaluation and their corresponding assumptions. www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/defaul...
Left: Photo of an electric vehicle being charged. Right: "Featured Event. Impact by Design: Launching a Research Partnership for Accessible Climate Action in Orlando. March 3, 2026, 2-3pm ET, Live over Zoom."
Are you a #climate leader from government, tech, or the nonprofit sector?🪴
Join the 🆕 #ClimateActionLearningLab and learn how to rigorously evaluate climate mitigation & adaptation programming.
🗓️ Learn more in our informational webinar: mit.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Left: Paper with magnifying glass Right: New Research Results. Impact of reminder messages, with and without financial incentives, on influenza vaccination: A randomized trial in a California health system. Tom Chang, Mireille Jacobson, Manisha Shah, Rajiv Pramanik, and Samir Shah.
Can reminder messages & financial incentives affect flu vaccinations? A 🆕study from J-PAL affiliated professor Mireille Jacobson & coauthors found that while the messages alone did not increase flu vaccinations, a message w/ a $50 incentive did.
Read the paper: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Left: Magnifying glass Right: "Policy publications. Short, accessible briefs that summarize and synthesize evidence from anti-poverty evaluations."
Looking for some fun reading? Check out J-PAL's policy publications: short, accessible briefs that summarize + synthesize #evidence from anti-poverty evaluations + can be filtered by:
➡️ Country/region
➡️ Sector (e.g., health, education)
➡️ Policy issue
https://www.povertyactionlab.org/publications
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Questionnaire piloting"
Questionnaire piloting helps you understand how your survey works in the field and ensures you are collecting accurate data. 🗂 For detailed guidance on piloting your survey, take a look at these #ResearchResources. https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/questionnaire-piloting
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Randomization"
🗣️ Let’s talk randomization! Check out these #ResearchResources if you want to review the framework for randomization, understand different randomization methods, or see code samples.👩💻 https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/randomization
Left: Photo of Jacob Wallace Right: "New Blog! Affiliate Spotlight: Jacob Wallace on strengthening Medicaid through evidence use and generation"
In a new Affiliate Spotlight, learn about @jacobwswallace.bsky.social’s past work in government, his research on #Medicaid, and how he envisions researchers and Medicaid agencies can work together to improve Medicaid programs with evidence and evaluation. www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/2-19-26...
Many who are eligible for social benefits don't claim them. An #RCT found that repeated notifications w/ simple relevant information ⬆️ eligible taxpayers’ likelihood of claiming the earned income tax credit (#EITC) https://www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/improving-take-tax-benefits-united-states
Left: Envelope open with a letter Right: "J-PAL North America Newsletter. Sign-up for our monthly newsletter featuring researcher results, news, policy lessons, and resources on randomized evaluations."
Stay informed on the latest research, events, and opportunities! 📬 Subscribe to J-PAL North America's newsletter today and never miss an update. 👉 https://j-p.al/NA_News
White highlighted text on orange background: "Apply Now!"
🚨HIRING🚨 J-PAL North America is #hiring two Research Associates based in Cambridge, MA! Both positions will: ✔️Support #RCTs
✔️Develop resources on RCTs
✔️Contribute to trainings about RCTs
Please share with your networks & apply by 03/02! www.povertyactionlab.org/careers/rese...
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Survey design"
Surveys 📄 are a powerful tool in research, but how can they be best designed? These #ResearchResources outline survey development, practical tips, formatting suggestions, and guides to translation and quality control. https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/survey-design
Tutoring is one of the most common & versatile education tools and has been proven to be effective. But what types of tutoring are most effective & for whom? https://www.povertyactionlab.org/publication/transformative-potential-tutoring-pre-k-12-learning-outcomes-lessons-randomized
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Administrative steps for launching a randomized evaluation in the United States"
Do you plan to launch an #RCT in the US, but don’t know where to start? These #ResearchResources share the logistical and administrative steps that are necessary for a successful launch! https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/administrative-steps-launching-randomized-evaluation-united-states
Join us to learn more about our free #ClimateActionLearningLab offerings and ask questions related to this exciting opportunity. www.povertyactionlab.org/page/j-pal-n...
We will also share policy insights from a forthcoming Climate Action Literature Review developed by researchers in the J-PAL network, which synthesizes rigorous evidence across key sectors:
⚡️Energy
🚎Transportation
🗑️Solid waste
💧Water and wastewater
🌾Agriculture
Join @JPAL_NA, Orlando #climate leaders from our inaugural #ClimateActionLearningLab cohort, and researchers in the J-PAL network to discuss their work to evaluate electric vehicle subsidies for low-income households in Orlando.
Left: Photo of an electric vehicle being charged. Right: "Featured Event. Impact by Design: Launching a Research Partnership for Accessible Climate Action in Orlando. March 3, 2026, 2-3pm ET, Live over Zoom."
🧵 Upcoming event!
Impact by Design: Launching a Research Partnership for Accessible Climate Action in Orlando | Tuesday, March 3 from 2-3 pm ET mit.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Open book with computer cursor with text "Research Resource: Ethical conduct of randomized evaluations"
During project development & implementation, researchers and field staff can face ethical dilemmas. These #ResearchResources serve as a practical guide for researchers when considering the ethics of a research project: https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/ethical-conduct-randomized-evaluations
Join @JPAL_NA, Orlando #climate leaders from our inaugural #ClimateActionLearningLab cohort, and researchers in the J-PAL network to discuss their work to evaluate electric vehicle subsidies for low-income households in Orlando.
