Research interests

Development, Behavioural, Political economy

Working papers

Customized cash transfers: financial lives and cash-flow preferences in rural Kenya (with Anandi Mani and Paul Niehaus)

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We examine the preferences of low-income households in Kenya over the structure of unconditional cash transfers. We find, first, that most prefer lumpier transfers, and many prefer delayed receipt - unlike the structures typical of safety-net programs, but consistent with evidence on the financial challenges of poverty. Second, poverty itself affects preferences: a little more financial slack when deciding increases desired delay. Finally, financial slack pays back: some delay - aligning transfers better with the seasonal cycle - increases deliberation, income, and goal progress 1.5 years later. Adapting cash transfer design to recipients’ decision-making environment could improve their financial choices and outcomes.

Can term limits accelerate women's access to top political positions? Quasi-experimental evidence from Italy (with Manuel Bagues)

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Can term limits help historically underrepresented groups, such as women, gain faster access to political power? Using quasi-experimental evidence from Italy, where mayoral term limits were extended from 2 to 3 five-year terms in 2014 and 2022, we find that longer term limits delay younger, more gender-balanced cohorts' access to political power: female mayoral representation would be 4-10 p.p. higher absent the extension. The impact is stronger in municipalities with higher female representation at lower political levels, and with gender quotas. Term limits can bridge the gap between entry and top-level positions, especially in times of rapid societal change.