What We Do

The Lab works directly with donors such as USAID, the World Bank and DFID on research opportunities, the promotion of evaluable programming, on impact evaluations themselves and the translation of academic research for policy audiences.

Members of the lab also work with implementers and evaluators, such as RTI, DAI, Social Impact and others at: a) the project proposal stage; and b) the implementation and monitoring/evaluation stage. At the project proposal stage, the lab provides rapid feedback on research ideas, rigorous project designs, and the “Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning” portion of proposals; this work is typically governed by an MOU. The lab prefers to be involved in project proposals as early as possible, even at the capture stage.

At the post-award stage, the Lab works with implementers to ensure rigorous IE designs, data collection and project monitoring, as well as the publication and dissemination of results to the policy and research communities. This work is governed by a subcontracting mechanism that assigns the project to faculty PIs and graduate student research assistants.

Our lab arose out of the desire to enhance the knowledge gained from the international development work that is being carried out across the globe by identifying broader scientific questions that can be answered through prospective evaluation design with the input of a team of academic researchers. 

As such, our collaborations benefit both practitioners, who gain capacity to evaluate and implement development projects, and academics by generating new opportunities for scientific research. The enhances faculty and student research output by organizing the research production process and stimulating collaboration across departments and schools.