Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
@rossaokod.bsky.social
Research @ Open Philanthropy. Formerly economist at GPI / Nuffield College, Oxford.
Interests: development econ, animal welfare, global catastrophic risks
Interests: development econ, animal welfare, global catastrophic risks
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Japan has more than doubled its foreign aid budget in just five years
June 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Japan has more than doubled its foreign aid budget in just five years
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
I'd love to fund studies of interventions that reduce real-time pollution exposure, in the US, on outcomes related to violence and criminal behavior.
(There is strong evidence that such exposure increases violence in real time; the next question is how much interventions can mitigate this effect.)
(There is strong evidence that such exposure increases violence in real time; the next question is how much interventions can mitigate this effect.)
June 23, 2025 at 11:21 AM
I'd love to fund studies of interventions that reduce real-time pollution exposure, in the US, on outcomes related to violence and criminal behavior.
(There is strong evidence that such exposure increases violence in real time; the next question is how much interventions can mitigate this effect.)
(There is strong evidence that such exposure increases violence in real time; the next question is how much interventions can mitigate this effect.)
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
So excited to share what Saloni and I have been up to.
Medical innovation is not inevitable. Sometimes breakthroughs take 40 years, thousands of people building on each others’ work & participating in clinical trials.
Check out ep 1, and subscribe for more Hard Drugs! harddrugs.worksinprogress.co
Medical innovation is not inevitable. Sometimes breakthroughs take 40 years, thousands of people building on each others’ work & participating in clinical trials.
Check out ep 1, and subscribe for more Hard Drugs! harddrugs.worksinprogress.co
June 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
So excited to share what Saloni and I have been up to.
Medical innovation is not inevitable. Sometimes breakthroughs take 40 years, thousands of people building on each others’ work & participating in clinical trials.
Check out ep 1, and subscribe for more Hard Drugs! harddrugs.worksinprogress.co
Medical innovation is not inevitable. Sometimes breakthroughs take 40 years, thousands of people building on each others’ work & participating in clinical trials.
Check out ep 1, and subscribe for more Hard Drugs! harddrugs.worksinprogress.co
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
As you ponder the likely consequences of the new steel tariffs, it's worth asking:
A. How long does it take to build a steel mill?
B. How long do you expect Trump's new 50% steel tariff to last?
If A>B, then how can you expect any lasting gains from these tariffs?
A. How long does it take to build a steel mill?
B. How long do you expect Trump's new 50% steel tariff to last?
If A>B, then how can you expect any lasting gains from these tariffs?
June 4, 2025 at 9:45 PM
As you ponder the likely consequences of the new steel tariffs, it's worth asking:
A. How long does it take to build a steel mill?
B. How long do you expect Trump's new 50% steel tariff to last?
If A>B, then how can you expect any lasting gains from these tariffs?
A. How long does it take to build a steel mill?
B. How long do you expect Trump's new 50% steel tariff to last?
If A>B, then how can you expect any lasting gains from these tariffs?
Great podcast by GiveWell on $6.2M of grants to CHAI and PATH to support ministries of health in 6 African countries to respond to aid cuts
Technical support units will work in-country to prioritise spending, improve procurement, manage funding transitions
givewell.transistor.fm/episodes/sup...
Technical support units will work in-country to prioritise spending, improve procurement, manage funding transitions
givewell.transistor.fm/episodes/sup...
GiveWell Conversations | Supporting Governments Navigating US Funding Cuts: May 15, 2025
This episode was recorded on May 2, 2025 and represents our best understanding at that time.Cuts to US government foreign assistance have created unprecedented challenges for global health programs...
givewell.transistor.fm
May 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Great podcast by GiveWell on $6.2M of grants to CHAI and PATH to support ministries of health in 6 African countries to respond to aid cuts
Technical support units will work in-country to prioritise spending, improve procurement, manage funding transitions
givewell.transistor.fm/episodes/sup...
Technical support units will work in-country to prioritise spending, improve procurement, manage funding transitions
givewell.transistor.fm/episodes/sup...
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
I signed the 10% Giving Pledge this year, and this week, I decided to donate 19% of my annual income to global health charities.
It's not going to be anywhere near "enough", but I'm happy to do it --
It's not going to be anywhere near "enough", but I'm happy to do it --
We don't have to sit back and just watch the horror unfold
This month, I signed a pledge to donate at least 10% of my lifetime income to effective charities.
www.scientificdiscovery.dev
April 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I signed the 10% Giving Pledge this year, and this week, I decided to donate 19% of my annual income to global health charities.
It's not going to be anywhere near "enough", but I'm happy to do it --
It's not going to be anywhere near "enough", but I'm happy to do it --
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Why are solar panels and batteries from China so cheap?
High levels of automation, cheap energy, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.
It's less about low salaries than many people think.
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/china-chea...
High levels of automation, cheap energy, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.
It's less about low salaries than many people think.
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/china-chea...
Why are solar panels and batteries from China so cheap?
It's more to do with automation and state-of-the art manufacturing processes than cheap labour.
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Why are solar panels and batteries from China so cheap?
High levels of automation, cheap energy, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.
It's less about low salaries than many people think.
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/china-chea...
High levels of automation, cheap energy, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.
It's less about low salaries than many people think.
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/china-chea...
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
A re-analysis of Ciacci's (2024) "Banning the purchase of sex increases cases of rape: Evidence from Sweden" Journal of Population Economics reveals major issues. A year ago, reproducers Adema, Folke, and Rickne found coding errors driving the paper's key results. Let's unpack this in a 🧵
May 9, 2025 at 12:21 PM
A re-analysis of Ciacci's (2024) "Banning the purchase of sex increases cases of rape: Evidence from Sweden" Journal of Population Economics reveals major issues. A year ago, reproducers Adema, Folke, and Rickne found coding errors driving the paper's key results. Let's unpack this in a 🧵
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
🧵 NEW: Why is Britain so skint?
We pay huge amounts of tax, yet the chancellor is expected to make widespread cuts. Where is all our money going?
My column, and a primer ahead of Wednesday
@thetimes.com
1/10
www.thetimes.com/article/e1a6...
We pay huge amounts of tax, yet the chancellor is expected to make widespread cuts. Where is all our money going?
My column, and a primer ahead of Wednesday
@thetimes.com
1/10
www.thetimes.com/article/e1a6...
March 23, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🧵 NEW: Why is Britain so skint?
We pay huge amounts of tax, yet the chancellor is expected to make widespread cuts. Where is all our money going?
My column, and a primer ahead of Wednesday
@thetimes.com
1/10
www.thetimes.com/article/e1a6...
We pay huge amounts of tax, yet the chancellor is expected to make widespread cuts. Where is all our money going?
My column, and a primer ahead of Wednesday
@thetimes.com
1/10
www.thetimes.com/article/e1a6...
Sounds like a cool job at Resolution Foundation, on a key focus area for Labour govt
We have a vacancy at Resolution Foundation for someone to lead our housing policy work. £55 - £68k, office based in Westminster.
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
March 19, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Sounds like a cool job at Resolution Foundation, on a key focus area for Labour govt
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
We have a vacancy at Resolution Foundation for someone to lead our housing policy work. £55 - £68k, office based in Westminster.
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
March 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
We have a vacancy at Resolution Foundation for someone to lead our housing policy work. £55 - £68k, office based in Westminster.
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
Closing date: 08:59am on 17 April 2025 (1/2)
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Excited that Open Philanthropy is expanding our work on economic growth and scientific progress.
The case for the Abundance & Growth Fund is simple: Economic growth isn’t just about GDP—it’s one of the most powerful forces for improving human lives. 🧵
The case for the Abundance & Growth Fund is simple: Economic growth isn’t just about GDP—it’s one of the most powerful forces for improving human lives. 🧵
Exciting update: @open_phil is doubling down on our YIMBY, innovation, and metascience success by launching a >$120m Abundance & Growth Fund to accelerate economic growth and boost scientific & technological progress. Funding from @goodventures.bsky.social, Patrick Collison, and others.
Why now? 🧵
Why now? 🧵
March 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Excited that Open Philanthropy is expanding our work on economic growth and scientific progress.
The case for the Abundance & Growth Fund is simple: Economic growth isn’t just about GDP—it’s one of the most powerful forces for improving human lives. 🧵
The case for the Abundance & Growth Fund is simple: Economic growth isn’t just about GDP—it’s one of the most powerful forces for improving human lives. 🧵
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Exciting update: @open_phil is doubling down on our YIMBY, innovation, and metascience success by launching a >$120m Abundance & Growth Fund to accelerate economic growth and boost scientific & technological progress. Funding from @goodventures.bsky.social, Patrick Collison, and others.
Why now? 🧵
Why now? 🧵
March 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Exciting update: @open_phil is doubling down on our YIMBY, innovation, and metascience success by launching a >$120m Abundance & Growth Fund to accelerate economic growth and boost scientific & technological progress. Funding from @goodventures.bsky.social, Patrick Collison, and others.
Why now? 🧵
Why now? 🧵
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Aspiring economists from Africa:
Extended deadline 4 March
Oxford's CSAE offers full scholarships >3 year for African students
How?
Apply for grad studies in Econ = 2 yr Master's course w/ progress to PhD
We automatically consider all applicants
www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/g...
Extended deadline 4 March
Oxford's CSAE offers full scholarships >3 year for African students
How?
Apply for grad studies in Econ = 2 yr Master's course w/ progress to PhD
We automatically consider all applicants
www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/g...
MPhil in Economics | University of Oxford
About the courseThe MPhil in Economics is designed to provide rigorous training in economic theory, applied economics, and econometric methods. It is comparable to the first two years of a PhD
www.ox.ac.uk
February 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Aspiring economists from Africa:
Extended deadline 4 March
Oxford's CSAE offers full scholarships >3 year for African students
How?
Apply for grad studies in Econ = 2 yr Master's course w/ progress to PhD
We automatically consider all applicants
www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/g...
Extended deadline 4 March
Oxford's CSAE offers full scholarships >3 year for African students
How?
Apply for grad studies in Econ = 2 yr Master's course w/ progress to PhD
We automatically consider all applicants
www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/g...
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer just cut the UK aid budget from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% in 2027 to fund increases in defence spending.
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
February 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer just cut the UK aid budget from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% in 2027 to fund increases in defence spending.
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Cutting Official Development Assistance to 0.3% of GDP means that a massive fraction of our aid budget will be spent in the UK on accommodation for asylum seekers. I don't have an up to date estimate, but could easily be half. Leaves much, much less for "traditional" aid.
February 25, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Cutting Official Development Assistance to 0.3% of GDP means that a massive fraction of our aid budget will be spent in the UK on accommodation for asylum seekers. I don't have an up to date estimate, but could easily be half. Leaves much, much less for "traditional" aid.
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
In the last election, Reform — led by Nigel Farage — pledged to half the UK's foreign aid budget.
Unfortunately, Labour has basically implemented this, now cutting it by 40%.
www.reformparty.uk/slash-govern...
Unfortunately, Labour has basically implemented this, now cutting it by 40%.
www.reformparty.uk/slash-govern...
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer just cut the UK aid budget from 0.5% of GNI to 0.3% in 2027 to fund increases in defence spending.
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
He says he’s making tough choices, but cutting funding for the world’s poorest people is the easiest—and cruellest—choice he could make (1/4)
February 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
In the last election, Reform — led by Nigel Farage — pledged to half the UK's foreign aid budget.
Unfortunately, Labour has basically implemented this, now cutting it by 40%.
www.reformparty.uk/slash-govern...
Unfortunately, Labour has basically implemented this, now cutting it by 40%.
www.reformparty.uk/slash-govern...
Starmer just confirmed UK aid cut from 0.5% to 0.3% GNI to fund increased defence spending
This is so bleak - thousands in low income countries will die.
I get (and support) that we need to increase defence spending/capabilities in europe, but surely better ways to fund it 🧵
This is so bleak - thousands in low income countries will die.
I get (and support) that we need to increase defence spending/capabilities in europe, but surely better ways to fund it 🧵
February 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Starmer just confirmed UK aid cut from 0.5% to 0.3% GNI to fund increased defence spending
This is so bleak - thousands in low income countries will die.
I get (and support) that we need to increase defence spending/capabilities in europe, but surely better ways to fund it 🧵
This is so bleak - thousands in low income countries will die.
I get (and support) that we need to increase defence spending/capabilities in europe, but surely better ways to fund it 🧵
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
This is an insanely big-hearted oped from the dad of a kid with a rare pediatric cancer who must be going through an unimaginably difficult experience www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/22/...
January 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This is an insanely big-hearted oped from the dad of a kid with a rare pediatric cancer who must be going through an unimaginably difficult experience www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/22/...
Excellent post (as always!) by @kopalo.bsky.social, looks at 4 key trends in Africa in 2024:
1) African countries past the worst of fiscal squeeze from debt service obligations
2) mixed results in structural reforms (focus on S Africa and Nigeria)
...
www.africanistperspective.com/p/2024-year-...
1) African countries past the worst of fiscal squeeze from debt service obligations
2) mixed results in structural reforms (focus on S Africa and Nigeria)
...
www.africanistperspective.com/p/2024-year-...
2024: Year in Review
African countries weathered ongoing fiscal squeeze better than expected, with emerging shoots of economic recovery. Electoral jamboree delivered mixed results, while weak state capacity endures.
www.africanistperspective.com
January 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Excellent post (as always!) by @kopalo.bsky.social, looks at 4 key trends in Africa in 2024:
1) African countries past the worst of fiscal squeeze from debt service obligations
2) mixed results in structural reforms (focus on S Africa and Nigeria)
...
www.africanistperspective.com/p/2024-year-...
1) African countries past the worst of fiscal squeeze from debt service obligations
2) mixed results in structural reforms (focus on S Africa and Nigeria)
...
www.africanistperspective.com/p/2024-year-...
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
One of my wishes for 2025: Labour needs to take forward mandatory animal welfare labelling, which Defra consulted on before the election. Here’s one mock-up:
December 27, 2024 at 11:45 AM
One of my wishes for 2025: Labour needs to take forward mandatory animal welfare labelling, which Defra consulted on before the election. Here’s one mock-up:
🚨 Apply for internships at Open Philanthropy by 12 Jan 🚨
7-9 interns in 3 research teams:
- global health + wellbeing
- global catastrophic risks
- farm animal welfare
Research track (masters/phd)
Strategy track (policy/consulting/similar)
Thread and link:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/openphilanth...
7-9 interns in 3 research teams:
- global health + wellbeing
- global catastrophic risks
- farm animal welfare
Research track (masters/phd)
Strategy track (policy/consulting/similar)
Thread and link:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/openphilanth...
Summer Internship, 2025
Open Philanthropy is looking for interns to help us conduct further research within our Global Health and Wellbeing (GHW) Cause Prioritization, Global Catastrophic Risks (GCR) Cause Prioritization, an...
jobs.ashbyhq.com
December 23, 2024 at 11:28 AM
🚨 Apply for internships at Open Philanthropy by 12 Jan 🚨
7-9 interns in 3 research teams:
- global health + wellbeing
- global catastrophic risks
- farm animal welfare
Research track (masters/phd)
Strategy track (policy/consulting/similar)
Thread and link:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/openphilanth...
7-9 interns in 3 research teams:
- global health + wellbeing
- global catastrophic risks
- farm animal welfare
Research track (masters/phd)
Strategy track (policy/consulting/similar)
Thread and link:
jobs.ashbyhq.com/openphilanth...
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
Well, I believe the thing to say is “some personal news”. In January I will be leaving @cgdev.org after four and a half very happy years to take up the role of Deputy Chief Economist (Development) for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
December 17, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Well, I believe the thing to say is “some personal news”. In January I will be leaving @cgdev.org after four and a half very happy years to take up the role of Deputy Chief Economist (Development) for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Reposted by Rossa O'Keeffe-O'Donovan
"Foreign-aid fiddle"
Great to see the @economist.com highlight the UK's misuse use of aid (inc some of our @cgdev.org work w/ @samhugh3s.bsky.social )
economist.com/britain/2024...
Great to see the @economist.com highlight the UK's misuse use of aid (inc some of our @cgdev.org work w/ @samhugh3s.bsky.social )
economist.com/britain/2024...
December 13, 2024 at 1:12 PM
"Foreign-aid fiddle"
Great to see the @economist.com highlight the UK's misuse use of aid (inc some of our @cgdev.org work w/ @samhugh3s.bsky.social )
economist.com/britain/2024...
Great to see the @economist.com highlight the UK's misuse use of aid (inc some of our @cgdev.org work w/ @samhugh3s.bsky.social )
economist.com/britain/2024...
To my veg*n UK people: you can make a genuinely good “salmon + cream cheese” bagel these days
Caveat: I’m too far gone [ethical humble brag] to remember the real thing and have notoriously low standards for food (I happily let my children feed me like a bird) but I think these are tasty!
Caveat: I’m too far gone [ethical humble brag] to remember the real thing and have notoriously low standards for food (I happily let my children feed me like a bird) but I think these are tasty!
December 13, 2024 at 1:01 PM
To my veg*n UK people: you can make a genuinely good “salmon + cream cheese” bagel these days
Caveat: I’m too far gone [ethical humble brag] to remember the real thing and have notoriously low standards for food (I happily let my children feed me like a bird) but I think these are tasty!
Caveat: I’m too far gone [ethical humble brag] to remember the real thing and have notoriously low standards for food (I happily let my children feed me like a bird) but I think these are tasty!