Our mission is to address the profound challenges of poverty and insecurity in the developing world. We work to incubate innovative solutions, scientifically test them in the field, and partner with local stakeholders to scale successes.
Learn more about our work
gui2de is a unique, university-wide international research platform, jointly convened by the McCourt School of Public Policy and the Economics Department, with nearly a dozen administrative, operational, and analytical support staff based in Washington, DC and East Africa.
The interdisciplinary Initiative spans five schools and multiple departments, drawing together more than twenty faculty affiliates from the McCourt School, the College’s Departments of Economics and Government, the School of Foreign Service, the School of Business, and the School of Health.
We bring the tools of modern experimental evaluation and data science to bear in our efforts to reduce barriers to human development and to promote dignity, leveraging the experience and insights of our faculty, the dedication of our staff, and the energy and entrepreneurship of our students.
We support faculty in securing and managing external grant and gift funding, implementing field projects – from pilot to scale – across the developing world in collaboration with local partners, and conducting and disseminating the results of rigorous research.
Announcements
Call for Papers: Annual 2026 Summer ThReD Conference
gui2de affiliate Garance Genicot is on the Scientific Committee for the ThReD Conference to be held in May 28-29 in Geneva. Submit papers by Saturday, January 25, 2026, midnight EST.
January 23, 2026
Press
Jishnu Das discusses the long-term returns to investments in foundational learning
“Investing in foundational learning is turning out to be one of the best interventions in development.”
January 8, 2026
Announcements, Press
The STARS team presented Year 3 findings at a national review workshop in Kigali in December 2025, with the Minister of Education and senior Ministry officials in attendance. Based on the findings from the past three years, the STARS approach will be implemented nationwide in the coming school year.
December 19, 2025
Development Seminar: S AnukritiFeb. 19
Development Seminar: Natalie BauFeb. 26
Development Seminar: Nishith PrakashMar. 12
