About Elizabeth Rhodes

Unconditional Cash Transfer Impacts

Elizabeth Rhodes leads OpenResearch's flagship Unconditional Cash Study, evaluating effects of $1,000/month payments over three years to 1,000 low-income recipients.[9] Key findings reveal nuanced impacts: cash enabled geographic mobility for better opportunities,[1] fostered entrepreneurial mindsets without significantly boosting business starts,[2] showed no strong employment disincentives,[3] improved health outcomes,[8] and enhanced parental investments in children.[4][5]

Healthcare Systems and NCD Management in Low-Resource Settings

Early work in Nepal assessed primary healthcare readiness for NCD prevention (CVDs, diabetes, CRDs), finding low service readiness scores (e.g., 48.4% for CVDs) due to equipment shortages, staff turnover, and supply issues.[9] Factors like facility type, region, and user fees influenced readiness; PHCCs outperformed health posts.[11] Adoption of WHO PEN Protocol 1 was limited by resource availability, motivation, and barriers like time constraints.[12] Patient utilization faced obstacles including medicine shortages and poor information, with facilitators like free services and family support.[13]

Research Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Approach

Rhodes advocates building the future through better questions amid economic shifts, emphasizing rigorous, transparent studies.[6][7] As Research Director and board member, she promotes interdisciplinary methods to inform policy on economic security.[10]

Study Design and Methodology

OpenResearch employs randomized controlled trials with pre-registration and public data, producing NBER working papers on employment,[3] health,[8] and parenting.[4] Qualitative analyses complement quantitative findings, e.g., on parental investments.[5]