Isaac Mbiti
- MIT Sponsors:
- Esther Duflo, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
- Scholar Link:Visit Isaac Mbiti's faculty page
The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been in the minority… It will take such a small committed minority to work unrelentingly to win the uncommitted majority. Such a group may transform America’s greatest dilemma into her most glorious opportunity.
Background
Isaac Mbiti is an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Southern Methodist University. He earned his PhD from Brown University.
Interests
Mbiti specializes in development economics, with a specific interest in randomized experiments.
As an MLK visiting assistant professor he worked closely with Prof. Esther Duflo in the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). Mbiti focused on two on-going projects: “Experimental Evidence on the Returns to Vocational Education in Kenya” and “The Impact of Monitoring Technology on the impact of remittances in Kenya.” He gave guest lectures at MIT and conducted research on randomized evaluations of interventions in Kenya.
News Items
May, Mbiti, and Fox are MLK Visiting Scholars for 2010-11
The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences welcomes three MLK Visiting Professors.
MIT welcomes 8 MLK visiting professors and scholars
Scholars’ diverse backgrounds enhance MIT community, research and teaching.
Sample Work
Publication
The Economic Impact of Mobile Phones
“The Economic Impact of Mobile Phones” with Jenny C. Aker, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2010, 24(3): 207–32
Publication
The Determinants and Consequences of School Choice Errors in Kenya
“The Determinants and Consequences of School Choice Errors in Kenya,” with Adrienne M. Lucas, American Economic Review, Papers and Proceedings, May 2012, 102(3): 283-288.
Publication
Access, Sorting, and Achievement: the Short-Run Effects of Free Primary Education in Kenya
“Access, Sorting, and Achievement: the Short-Run Effects of Free Primary Education in Kenya” with Adrienne M. Lucas. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 4(4): 226-253. 2012
Publication
Does Free Primary Education Narrow Gender Differences in Schooling Outcomes? Evidence from Kenya
“Does Free Primary Education Narrow Gender Differences in Schooling Outcomes? Evidence from Kenya” with Adrienne M. Lucas. Journal of African Economies, October, 2012: 1-32.