Professor Edward Miguel had the honor of delivering the 2024 Berkeley Distinguished Faculty Lecture in the Social Sciences, a prestigious annual event at UC Berkeley that celebrates the contributions of the university’s leading social scientist scholars who have made significant advancements in their fields.

In a thought-provoking lecture, Ted shared groundbreaking insights from his research on the life-saving potential of cash transfers in rural Kenya. The study, conducted in collaboration with NGO GiveDirectly, provided unconditional cash transfers to the poorest households in Western Kenya, and revealed profound health impacts. The most striking findings revealed that cash transfers led to a 40% reduction in infant mortality, saving an estimated 100 lives during the period of the cash transfer. This dramatic improvement was attributed to increased access to healthcare, particularly for pregnant women and newborns, highlighting the critical interplay between financial resources and proximity to medical facilities. Miguel emphasized that while cash alone had limited long-term effects, its combination with accessible healthcare services created a powerful, cost-effective intervention.

Ted Miguel’s research also underscored the importance of timing and targeting in development programs. The study revealed that cash transfers were most effective when provided during pregnancy and childbirth, with little impact if distributed before conception or after infancy. Additionally, households living closer to hospitals saw significantly greater health benefits, suggesting that infrastructure investments are essential to maximizing the impact of cash transfers. The study’s findings challenge traditional approaches to foreign aid, advocating for a more nuanced strategy that combines direct financial support with investments in public goods like healthcare. His work not only demonstrates the transformative potential of cash transfers but also calls for a reevaluation of how development resources are allocated to achieve the greatest impact. By blending rigorous data collection with innovative research design, Ted offered a compelling blueprint for addressing global poverty and improving health outcomes in low-income settings. The audience engaged with lots of questions after the session.