Description
The Lab is conceived as a space that brings together academic research and policy engagement. Its objective is to develop rigorous, data-driven analysis that contributes both to scholarly debates and to the design of informed public policies. By combining theoretical insight with empirical investigation, the Lab seeks to better understand the structural drivers of labor market outcomes and disparities in the region.
A central component of the lab is its Data Collection Unit, which produces regular and reliable data on labor markets, living conditions, and social outcomes in the region. This initiative responds to persistent data limitations that constrain research and policy design on key social and economic issues. Through original data collection efforts and sustained monitoring projects, the Lab intends to strengthen the empirical foundations necessary for meaningful analysis.
The Labor and Equity Lab is positioned as a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration. While rooted in economics, it actively engages with scholars and practitioners from other social sciences, public health, data science, and public policy. Through collaborative research, methodological innovation, and student engagement, the Lab aims to serve as a central hub for research production and dialogue on labor and equity.
Mission and Vision
The Lab's mission is to advance rigorous, data-driven research on employment and inequality in the SWANA region, while contributing to the development of effective and equitable and evidence-informed public policies. The lab is committed to building sustainable data infrastructures, producing rigorous academic research, and training young researchers to address complex social and economic challenges.
In pursuing this vision, the Lab seeks to:
Produce high-quality academic research grounded in sound economic theory and advanced empirical approaches.
Generate policy-oriented analysis that informs national and regional discussions.
Establish regular data collection initiatives that address persistent information gaps.
Create a collaborative research environment that integrates academic scholarship with real-world impact.
Train students and young researchers in applied research, data collection, and policy evaluation.
Strengthen the culture of evidence-based policymaking in Lebanon and the broader SWANA region.