Erwin KnippenBerg

Lead Economist

I am excited to bring data driven solutions to answer pressing policy questions. The ubiquity of smartphones and micro-satellites has made detailed data globally available on a near daily basis. How can we use this data to improve outcomes for the poorest and most vulnerable? I am particularly passionate about breaking down silos that separate research and decision-making. These include questions such as: how to scale a successful pilot or integrate learning into country systems?

I have a PhD in Applied Economics from Cornell University, where I wrote my dissertation on resilience and food security in the context of climate change. I used economic analysis and machine learning algorithms to analyze on the ground and remote-sensing data. I’ve worked to make this research accessible to governments, NGOs and local communities.

Prior to Cornell I was an Overseas Development Institute Fellow at the Liberian Ministry of Finance. I helped set up the development coordination unit, working closely with donors on aligning projects with national priorities. As a member of the minister of Finance’s private office, I helped interface between technical analysis and policy briefs.

I have a MSC in Economics for Development from Oxford (’12) and a joint BS/MA from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service (’11).