DT_T (Do The _ Thing) Season 1 – Epsiode 8 Spotlights on Edward “Ted” Miguel — Founder and Faculty Co-Director of the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) and Distinguished Professor of Economics, Oxfam Professor in Environmental and Resource Economics

Ted’s work focuses on understanding one of the most fundamental questions of our time: why do some parts of the world continue to face poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, and systemic inequality—and what truly helps improve lives in a meaningful way.

Drawing from his own upbringing as the child of immigrants, Ted shares how early experiences of witnessing global inequality shaped his path. What began as a personal awareness evolved into a lifelong commitment to combining empathy with rigorous problem-solving.

At CEGA, Ted and his team work at the intersection of research and action—generating evidence on global development challenges and partnering with governments, nonprofits, and organizations to translate that knowledge into policies that improve lives around the world.

In this reflective conversation, Ted speaks about:

•  the role of empathy in shaping a life’s work 
•  the importance of evidence in creating real impact 
•  how research can move beyond theory into action 
•  the sustaining power of community in long-term impact work 
•  and why staying rooted in one’s values matters more than following a single “right” path 

He also offers a thoughtful perspective for those discerning their own path—encouraging listeners not to let immediate barriers limit their vision, but to stay connected to their values and the kind of life they hope to build.

This conversation is a reminder that impact is not only created through action—but also through understanding, intention, and the pursuit of truth.

Learn more about CEGA: https://emiguel.econ.berkeley.edu/