Nava Ashraf

Professor Nava Ashraf is a leading academic in the Department of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She holds the rank of Professor and specializes in Psychology & Economics, Development Economics, and the Economics of the Family. Her work combines behavioral economics with field experiments to address global development challenges in health, education, and gender equity. Ashraf has extensive affiliations, including roles as Co-Director of STICERD's Psychology and Economics Programme, Lead Academic for IGC Zambia, and Founding Director of the Altruistic Capital Lab at LSE.

Her research focuses on understanding how human behavior and institutional frameworks impact development outcomes. Notable projects include studies on public service delivery incentives, gender norms, and the impact of interpersonal skills on intergenerational investment. Ashraf has conducted fieldwork in Zambia, Kenya, the Philippines, and other regions, with a focus on behavioral interventions in healthcare, education, and microfinance.

Ashraf's academic journey includes a PhD from Harvard University (2005) and a BA from Stanford University (1998). She has been honored with prestigious awards, including the 2021 Arrow Award and the TIAA-CREF Samuelson Award. Her teaching spans executive education programs and graduate courses in behavioral economics and development economics.

Key achievements include pioneering studies on commitment savings products, the role of trust in banking, and the design of effective public health interventions. Her work frequently bridges theoretical insights with practical policy solutions, emphasizing the importance of behavioral nudges and institutional reforms in fostering economic development.