Jessica Leight
@leightjessica.bsky.social
Development economist, @Yale / @UniofOxford / @MIT. Asso editor, REHO + CER. Editorial board member, BMC Public Health + PloS One. Structural transformation, agriculture, gender, IPV. Views my own
Another paper shows long-term effects of cash transfers on youth mobility, particularly youth mobility for marriage, in Malawi
drive.google.com/fil...
drive.google.com/fil...
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Another paper shows long-term effects of cash transfers on youth mobility, particularly youth mobility for marriage, in Malawi
drive.google.com/fil...
drive.google.com/fil...
One published paper joint w/ @ashudirect + other @PublicPolicyUNC colleagues shows that in both Malawi + Zimbabwe, cash transfers affect measures of economic preferences (incl intertemporal choice)
academic.oup.com/jae...
academic.oup.com/jae...
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
One published paper joint w/ @ashudirect + other @PublicPolicyUNC colleagues shows that in both Malawi + Zimbabwe, cash transfers affect measures of economic preferences (incl intertemporal choice)
academic.oup.com/jae...
academic.oup.com/jae...
Today's cool young researcher #econtwitter #econsky is @MarwaIbPhD @IMFNews who works on topics related to social protection, migration + labor
November 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Today's cool young researcher #econtwitter #econsky is @MarwaIbPhD @IMFNews who works on topics related to social protection, migration + labor
+ @TilmanGraff presents fascinating findings around high rates of depreciation in the capital stock in Uganda, with implications for macro estimates of capital stock + the returns to capital
November 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
+ @TilmanGraff presents fascinating findings around high rates of depreciation in the capital stock in Uganda, with implications for macro estimates of capital stock + the returns to capital
@KaOrtizb shows that land consolidation in Colombia following on a process of trade liberalization leads to ⬆️ unemployment
November 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
@KaOrtizb shows that land consolidation in Colombia following on a process of trade liberalization leads to ⬆️ unemployment
de Vries presented a newly calibrated model of industrialization in sub-Saharan Africa vis-a-vis Asia joint w/@eb_mensah @kunalsen5 @hagen_kruse
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
de Vries presented a newly calibrated model of industrialization in sub-Saharan Africa vis-a-vis Asia joint w/@eb_mensah @kunalsen5 @hagen_kruse
In the next session on structural transformation, I presented evidence around the large positive (but heterogeneous) effects of a graduation model intervention on IDPs in Somalia
joint w/ @NKarachiwalla
joint w/ @NKarachiwalla
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
In the next session on structural transformation, I presented evidence around the large positive (but heterogeneous) effects of a graduation model intervention on IDPs in Somalia
joint w/ @NKarachiwalla
joint w/ @NKarachiwalla
@Sarah_Winton_ shows that granting research permits to Jordanian refugees in Syria leads to re-sorting with Jordanians exiting occupations that are highly exposed to refugees + showing upskilling into other occupations
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
@Sarah_Winton_ shows that granting research permits to Jordanian refugees in Syria leads to re-sorting with Jordanians exiting occupations that are highly exposed to refugees + showing upskilling into other occupations
@Katlamity shows that population flows during Partition are preditive of current patterns of economic activity in India today
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
@Katlamity shows that population flows during Partition are preditive of current patterns of economic activity in India today
Philip shows that slum redevelopment in India frequently leads to permanent displacement (to other slums) as targeted housing is not constructed in the original slums
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Philip shows that slum redevelopment in India frequently leads to permanent displacement (to other slums) as targeted housing is not constructed in the original slums
@melesemesay shows that areas in Ethiopia that experienced historic patterns of resettlement show ⬆️ violence when ethnicity becomes more salient
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
@melesemesay shows that areas in Ethiopia that experienced historic patterns of resettlement show ⬆️ violence when ethnicity becomes more salient
Starting my #econtwitter #econsky recap 🧵 for #neudc2025 @TuftsEconomics! First session: displaced persons. Tamim shows that a housing subsidy for Syrian refugees in Jordan had only minor positive economic effects + led to a deterioration in relations btw hosts + refugees
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Starting my #econtwitter #econsky recap 🧵 for #neudc2025 @TuftsEconomics! First session: displaced persons. Tamim shows that a housing subsidy for Syrian refugees in Jordan had only minor positive economic effects + led to a deterioration in relations btw hosts + refugees
If you're headed to NEUDC this weekend - me too! Will be presenting the effects of graduation model for IDPs in Baidoa, Somalia - one of the first RCTs ever conducted in this country - on Sat morning. Excited to see a whole range of new papers, esp from cool young researchers!
November 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
If you're headed to NEUDC this weekend - me too! Will be presenting the effects of graduation model for IDPs in Baidoa, Somalia - one of the first RCTs ever conducted in this country - on Sat morning. Excited to see a whole range of new papers, esp from cool young researchers!
A paper R&R at JDE joint w/ Otero-Cortés + Calderόn shows that entrance of hard discount stores in Colombia ⬆️ local formal employment by 10%, w/spillovers from retail to manufacturing
ludelgad.github.io/f...
ludelgad.github.io/f...
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A paper R&R at JDE joint w/ Otero-Cortés + Calderόn shows that entrance of hard discount stores in Colombia ⬆️ local formal employment by 10%, w/spillovers from retail to manufacturing
ludelgad.github.io/f...
ludelgad.github.io/f...
And evidence about monopsony power within firms showing that the welfare losses are larger for managers than for frontline workers
ajanez.github.io/fil...
ajanez.github.io/fil...
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
And evidence about monopsony power within firms showing that the welfare losses are larger for managers than for frontline workers
ajanez.github.io/fil...
ajanez.github.io/fil...
Another paper uses matched employer-employee data to assess a similar question + finds that as immigrants concentrate in informal sector, formal employment at minimum wage falls (due to substitution into informal sector)
ludelgad.github.io/f...
ludelgad.github.io/f...
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Another paper uses matched employer-employee data to assess a similar question + finds that as immigrants concentrate in informal sector, formal employment at minimum wage falls (due to substitution into informal sector)
ludelgad.github.io/f...
ludelgad.github.io/f...
One published paper in JPopEcon analyzes labor market effects of Venezuelan immigration to Colombia + finds evidence of ⬇️ wages in the informal sector; + ⬇️ employment in the formal sector where minimum wages are binding
link.springer.com/ar...
link.springer.com/ar...
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
One published paper in JPopEcon analyzes labor market effects of Venezuelan immigration to Colombia + finds evidence of ⬇️ wages in the informal sector; + ⬇️ employment in the formal sector where minimum wages are binding
link.springer.com/ar...
link.springer.com/ar...
Today's cool young researcher #econtwitter #econsky is @LaDelgadoP @unioslo who works on topics related to labor, development, immigration + firms
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Today's cool young researcher #econtwitter #econsky is @LaDelgadoP @unioslo who works on topics related to labor, development, immigration + firms
And Deng @NellyElmallakh @RobertaGattiECO
show return on compulsory education in Egypt is more than triple bride price + 20% ⬆️ in husband's income - though *no* effect on employment!
Both linked here
www.journals.uchicag...
show return on compulsory education in Egypt is more than triple bride price + 20% ⬆️ in husband's income - though *no* effect on employment!
Both linked here
www.journals.uchicag...
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
And Deng @NellyElmallakh @RobertaGattiECO
show return on compulsory education in Egypt is more than triple bride price + 20% ⬆️ in husband's income - though *no* effect on employment!
Both linked here
www.journals.uchicag...
show return on compulsory education in Egypt is more than triple bride price + 20% ⬆️ in husband's income - though *no* effect on employment!
Both linked here
www.journals.uchicag...
Two interesting new papers #econtwitter #econsky about intrahousehold allocation Qs in EDCC! From @nehaaecon + Milazzo: evidence across 44 countries shows that mothers of first-born daughters have ⬆️ incidence of anemia, ⬇️ survival into old age
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Two interesting new papers #econtwitter #econsky about intrahousehold allocation Qs in EDCC! From @nehaaecon + Milazzo: evidence across 44 countries shows that mothers of first-born daughters have ⬆️ incidence of anemia, ⬇️ survival into old age
Another banger from Finnish admin data thanks to @anarodriguezg_ @J_HumanResource: robust evidence of ⬆️ relative female education leading to ⬇️ marriage + fertility, due to mismatches in educational dist btw men and women
October 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Another banger from Finnish admin data thanks to @anarodriguezg_ @J_HumanResource: robust evidence of ⬆️ relative female education leading to ⬇️ marriage + fertility, due to mismatches in educational dist btw men and women
One published paper in Labour Economics shows that post-Great recession labor market entrants are particularly vulnerable to job loss during the pandemic
www.sciencedirect.co...
www.sciencedirect.co...
October 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
One published paper in Labour Economics shows that post-Great recession labor market entrants are particularly vulnerable to job loss during the pandemic
www.sciencedirect.co...
www.sciencedirect.co...
We also provide a useful overview of various tools that can be used by policymakers or other advisers to inform the selection of cash versus food transfers (MIFIRA, etc.) Check it out here!
cgspace.cgiar.org/it...
cgspace.cgiar.org/it...
October 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
We also provide a useful overview of various tools that can be used by policymakers or other advisers to inform the selection of cash versus food transfers (MIFIRA, etc.) Check it out here!
cgspace.cgiar.org/it...
cgspace.cgiar.org/it...
Interestingly, a somewhat small literature on recipient preferences is quite varied. There can be preferences for cash given flexibility or an emphasis on dignity; but also preferences for food given real or perceived risks of inflation, self-control, etc.
October 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Interestingly, a somewhat small literature on recipient preferences is quite varied. There can be preferences for cash given flexibility or an emphasis on dignity; but also preferences for food given real or perceived risks of inflation, self-control, etc.
Happy to share a new short evidence brief #econtwitter #econsky summarizing evidence on cash versus food transfers joint w/the amazing @Ugentilini. Our goal is to provide a fairly concise, policy-relevant overview of a few points in this huge literature
October 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Happy to share a new short evidence brief #econtwitter #econsky summarizing evidence on cash versus food transfers joint w/the amazing @Ugentilini. Our goal is to provide a fairly concise, policy-relevant overview of a few points in this huge literature