Stanford King Center on Global Development

Background

The Stanford King Center on Global Development is a university-wide research center dedicated to improving the lives of people living in poverty worldwide. Established in 2017, the center serves as a hub for scholars and students across Stanford University, fostering innovative, data-driven research aimed at addressing global poverty and advancing development.

Key Strategic Focus

The center's strategic focus encompasses:

Stimulating Research: Supporting over 120 faculty affiliates conducting research in more than 65 countries, the center funds ambitious initiatives and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to develop solutions for global poverty.

Training the Next Generation: Offering programs such as undergraduate research assistantships, graduate research grants, dissertation fellowships, postdoctoral fellowships, and postbaccalaureate research fellowships to cultivate a diverse and talented cadre of global development scholars.

Engagement for Impact: Facilitating dialogues among academics, policymakers, development organizations, and business leaders to translate research into actionable policies and practices.

Financials and Funding

The center's financial support is bolstered by philanthropic contributions, notably from Robert "Bob" and Dorothy "Dottie" King. Their generosity has enabled the expansion of research opportunities, informed public policy, and engaged private sector leaders.

Pipeline Development

The center supports a variety of research projects and initiatives, including:

Data for Development Initiative: Leveraging satellite imagery, cell phone records, and social media analytics to better understand poverty, agriculture, infrastructure, and migration.

Honey Production in Ethiopia: Examining how incentives to improve honey quality for export can benefit farmers, in partnership with the Ethiopian government.

Technological Platform and Innovation

The center employs advanced methodologies and technologies, such as:

Data Analytics: Utilizing satellite imagery and social media analytics to gain insights into global development challenges.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bringing together experts from various fields to develop innovative solutions to poverty and development issues.

Leadership Team

Grant Miller: Director of the King Center, health and development economist, and associate professor of medicine.

Jessica Leino: Executive Director, overseeing the center's operations and strategic initiatives.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global development research sector is characterized by a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to address poverty and inequality. Institutions aim to translate academic research into practical solutions, influencing policy and practice worldwide.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Harvard Center for International Development: Focuses on research and education to advance understanding of development challenges and solutions.

MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL): Conducts randomized evaluations to inform policy decisions aimed at reducing poverty.

University of Oxford's Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI): Develops and applies multidimensional measures of poverty to improve policy effectiveness.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The center collaborates with various entities to enhance its impact:

Stanford Seed: Partners with entrepreneurs in emerging markets, providing training, coaching, and networking support to build thriving enterprises.

Hoover Institution: Co-hosts events such as the Future of Work for Women Summit, focusing on expanding women's participation in the digital economy in South Asia.