Join us for a conversation with Vijayendra (Biju) Rao, a Lead Economist in the Development Research Group of the World Bank. In conversation with Helen Tilley, Associate Professor of History at Northwestern University, Rao will discuss how process matters when designing and implementing policy. The dominant paradigms in policy-making — neoliberalism, neo-Keynesianism, and neopaternalism — largely act via “outcome-policies” that manipulate the levers of government and, more recently, draw on randomized trials and “nudges” in a manner that is not only easy to measure but, arguably, also easy to reverse. Rao will make the case for “Reflexivism,” which attempts to improve well-being in an incremental, people-centric manner that is more uncertain and difficult to measure, but may result in more lasting change.
In his early work, Rao pioneered empirical research in Economics on dowries, domestic violence and sex work. His recent work has focused on participatory approaches to development, deliberative democracy, and voice and agency among the poor. He is a proponent of mixing qualitative and quantitative methods to make economics more reflexive, and to better understand and diagnose issues in development. Learn more about his work >>
Refreshments will be provided beginning at 3:45 p.m.
About the Elliott Speaker Series
As part of our Elliott Scholars Program, the Buffett Institute invites academics, practitioners and activists working in areas related to international development to Northwestern University for short residencies. While on campus, these guests engage with the Elliott Scholars cohort and the wider Northwestern community.
Please note that 720 University Place is not an ADA-accessible space. Increasing physical access to buildings and facilities is a goal of the University, but not all buildings and venues have been updated.
