On June 6, researchers from IPA and J-PAL convened in London to discuss field research on what works to improve governance and address conflict and corruption in low-income countries. Participants offered practical lessons for policymakers, practitioners, donors, and others on designing and implementing more effective programs, and discussed how researchers and implementing organizations can partner to close knowledge gaps.

Speakers drew on research from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Liberia, and Pakistan, among other contexts. Event chair Rohini Pande, Rafik Hariri Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard Kennedy School, Co-Director of Evidence for Policy Design, and Co-Chair of J-PAL's Political Economy & Governance sector, delivered keynote remarks.

Introductory Remarks and Keynote Address

Session 1: Governance and Conflict in Fragile States

Featuring

• Michael Callen, University of California at San Diego 
• Alexandra Hartman, University College London 
• Raul Sanchez de la Sierra, University of California at Berkeley
• Diana Dalton, discussant, DFID

Session 2: The Politics of Reducing Corrruption

Featuring

• Oriana Bandiera, London School of Economics 
• Clément Imbert, University of Warwick 
• Sara Lowes, Bocconi University 
• Peter Evans, discussant, DFID

This event featured research related to the Governance, Conflict, and Crime Initiative (GCCI), a joint IPA and J-PAL initiative supported by DFID. GCCI was established to generate new policy-relevant research on effective approaches to promoting peace and good governance, reducing crime, and supporting individuals and communities recovering from conflict.