Jonathan Robinson

Jonathan Robinson is a Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research focuses on development economics, particularly through field experiments in rural Africa, with an emphasis on agricultural households and policy interventions. His work examines topics such as cash transfers, digital credit, market access, and the impacts of technological and informational interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Robinson has collaborated extensively with institutions and researchers across multiple African countries, including Malawi, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, and Tanzania. His studies often involve randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of policies aimed at improving agricultural productivity, financial inclusion, and household resilience. Notable areas of inquiry include the dynamics of cash transfer programs, measurement of intimate partner violence, and the role of communication in technology adoption.

His publications span journals such as the American Economic Journal, Review of Economics and Statistics, and Journal of Development Economics, reflecting his contributions to understanding behavioral biases, savings constraints, and governance challenges in developing economies. Ongoing projects include experiments linking farmers’ cooperatives to maize processors in Rwanda and evaluating the impact of TV programming on agricultural productivity in Zambia.

Robinson’s work bridges theoretical economic models with real-world applications, emphasizing evidence-based policy recommendations for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.