Discover the Harvard CID faculty affiliates leading pioneering research in education and human development—advancing learning, equity, and opportunity worldwide.
Education is a powerful engine of individual empowerment and economic growth—unlocking opportunity, fostering innovation, and improving well-being.
Yet barriers like unequal access, affordability challenges, and quality gaps continue to limit who benefits from education and human development. At CID, our research bridges education policy, human capital development, and the science of learning to explore how to expand opportunity for all.
Faculty affiliates from across Harvard examine education systems, teaching effectiveness, early childhood development, and the role of public policy in shaping educational access and outcomes. From analyzing disparities in learning to identifying effective interventions and supporting lifelong learning, CID researchers are generating actionable insights to drive equitable, high-quality education worldwide.
Harvard CID Faculty Affiliates Shaping the Future of Education & Human Development
Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School Of Education
Asim I. Khwaja
Asim I. Khwaja
Faculty Director, Center for International Development;
Sumitomo-FASID Professor of International Finance and Development, Harvard Kennedy School
Marie and Max Kargman Associate Professor in Human Development and Urban Education Advancement; Faculty Co-Chair, Human Development and Education Program (HDE), Harvard Graduate School Of Education
Professor of Child Development and Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Graduate School Of Education
Assistant Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School Of Education
Juan Saavedra
Juan Saavedra
Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Featured Research on Education & Human Development
CID faculty research insights highlight influential publications by Harvard faculty that have advanced our understanding of education and human development. These concise summaries translate complex research on educational access, equity, learning outcomes, and human capital development into actionable takeaways for policymakers, educators, and researchers.
CID Faculty Publications
Explore the latest research from CID faculty affiliates on education and human development, addressing topics like learning outcomes, educational equity, human capital, and lifelong learning. These publications provide data-driven insights to shape education policy, promote equal access to quality education, and support inclusive human development worldwide.
The Quest for Educational Equity in Mexico
The Quest for Educational Equity in Mexico
Over 30 years, Mexico expanded school access but deep learning gaps persist. In 2022, 38% of 15-year-olds scored below basic levels in reading, math, and science. Indigenous and rural students still face the steepest educational barriers.
CID Faculty Affiliate:
Investing in the Next Generation: The Long-Run Impacts of a Liquidity Shock
Investing in the Next Generation: The Long-Run Impacts of a Liquidity Shock
This study reveals a critical trade-off faced by poor entrepreneurs: investing in their businesses or their children’s education. In India, short-term microenterprise growth led to long-term schooling gains—but only for families with literate parents. For others, business success came at the cost of children’s education, raising concerns about how economic opportunity may unintentionally hinder intergenerational mobility.
CID Faculty Affiliate:
Crowding in Private Quality: The Equilibrium Effects of Public Spending in Education
Crowding in Private Quality: The Equilibrium Effects of Public Spending in Education
This research shows that well-designed public investments in education can improve learning not only in public schools but also in nearby private schools—creating an "education multiplier." In Pakistani villages, school grants boosted test scores across the board and significantly increased the cost-effectiveness of public spending. As education markets expand in low- and middle-income countries, these findings highlight the importance of accounting for private sector responses when designing and evaluating public policy.
CID Faculty Affiliate: Asim I. Khwaja
Explore research from Harvard CID faculty affiliates addressing key questions around education access, learning outcomes, human capital development, and building pathways to inclusive and equitable opportunities.