Meet the Harvard CID faculty affiliates leading research in social welfare and public finance to inform policies that promote equity, opportunity, and fiscal sustainability worldwide.
Health systems and social spending are critical to building resilient societies—helping individuals live longer, healthier, and more secure lives.
Yet governments worldwide face growing pressure to deliver services that are efficient, equitable, and fiscally sustainable. At CID, our research in social welfare and public finance investigates how public spending and institutional design shape economic and health outcomes.
Faculty affiliates from across Harvard examine the structure and impact of welfare programs, health systems, taxation, and fiscal policy—exploring how these tools can reduce inequality and expand opportunity. From assessing the effectiveness of social safety nets and healthcare access to analyzing tax systems and public budgets, CID researchers are generating evidence to guide smarter investments and promote inclusive, well-being-centered development.
Harvard CID Faculty Affiliates Examining Social Welfare & Public Finance
Rema Hanna
Rema Hanna
Jeffrey Cheah Professor of South-East Asia Studies, Harvard Kennedy School
Bruce A. Beal, Robert L. Beal and Alexander S. Beal Associate Professor of Global Health Economics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Associate Professor of Global Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Nathaniel Ropes Professor of Political Economy; Founder and Director of the Social Economics Lab, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Assistant Professor of Economics, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Anders Jensen
Anders Jensen
Associate Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Featured Research on Social Welfare & Public Finance
CID faculty research insights look at publications by Harvard faculty that have shaped current understanding of social welfare and public finance. These summaries distill complex findings into accessible takeaways for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.
Harvard CID Faculty Publications
Explore the latest research from CID faculty affiliates on social welfare and public finance, covering topics such as government spending, income distribution, public service delivery, and fiscal policy. These publications provide data-driven analysis of social safety nets, welfare programs, healthcare systems, taxation, and budget management to inform effective policy and promote equitable economic outcomes.
When Less Is More: Experimental Evidence on Information Delivery During India’s Demonetisation
When Less Is More: Experimental Evidence on Information Delivery During India’s Demonetisation
In disseminating information, policymakers face a choice between broadcasting to everyone and informing a small number of “seeds” who then spread the message. While broadcasting maximises the initial reach of messages, we offer theoretical and experimental evidence that it need not be the best strategy.
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The economic value of reducing mortality due to noncommunicable diseases and injuries
The economic value of reducing mortality due to noncommunicable diseases and injuries
As populations age, countries must make tough decisions about how to allocate health resources. This study, part of the World Bank’s Healthy Longevity Initiative, quantifies the economic value of reducing avoidable deaths from noncommunicable diseases and injuries—showing potential gains of 2–8% of annual income. These findings provide policymakers with powerful tools to prioritize health investments that improve longevity and economic resilience.
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Human capital and lifetime income gains of scaling-up small-quantity lipid nutrient supplements among children under 2 years: A modeling analysis
Human capital and lifetime income gains of scaling-up small-quantity lipid nutrient supplements among children under 2 years: A modeling analysis
Undernutrition in early childhood limits health, learning, and future earnings. This study finds that scaling up small-quantity lipid nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) for children aged 6–24 months in high-burden countries could generate substantial gains in schooling and lifetime income—exceeding the cost of intervention. Investing in early nutrition is not only vital for child health but also a high-return strategy for boosting human capital and economic growth.
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Explore research from CID faculty affiliates addressing critical questions around social welfare and public finance.