Impact Evaluation Lab KDI SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Rigorous evidence for public policy.

The Impact Evaluation Lab generates causal evidence on what works — through randomized evaluations and rigorous quasi-experimental research — and brings that evidence to policymakers in Korea and around the world.

Wide field photo
Sep 10–11 2026 · SEOUL
Upcoming · with World Bank DECDI
7th Development Impact Conference
Nine Tree Premier ROKAUS Hotel, Yongsan · Keynote: Johannes Haushofer (Cornell)
View program
About the Lab

Asking what would have happened otherwise.

Good policy depends on knowing not just what happened, but what would have happened without the program — the counterfactual. The Impact Evaluation Lab, a research lab under KDI School of Public Policy and Management, brings together faculty and researchers who use experimental and quasi-experimental methods to answer that question across agriculture, education, health, governance, labor, and finance.

The Lab partners with governments, international organizations, and NGOs — including World Bank's Development Impact Group (DECDI) — to design evaluations, build evidence, and train the next generation of researchers and policymakers.

01
Rigorous evaluation
Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of policies and programs in the field.
02
Policy engagement
Working with governments and international organizations to turn evidence into better programs.
03
Convening & training
The annual Development Impact Conference with World Bank DECDI, plus workshops and courses at KDI School.
In the field
Meet the researchers →
Field photo 1 Field photo 2 Field photo 3 Research team with farmers in a maize field in Tanzania Research team with community members Research team walking through the village