LISER Policy Lab: Rigorous Research for Impactful Policies

06 March 2025

At a time when policymaking can greatly benefit from rigorous scientific evidence, the LISER Policy Lab bridges the gap between high-level research and effective policy. The upcoming LISER Policy Lab event on March 12, 2025, at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce will bring together key stakeholders and researchers to support policymakers in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies.

Organized by the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), the event aims to provide policymakers with scientifically rigorous evidence to guide decision-making. Distinguished guests, including Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee and three Luxembourg ministers, will highlight the strategic importance of evidence-based policymaking to address pressing societal challenges. More than 230 participants are expected to attend.

Ahead of this landmark event, Research Luxembourg (RL) spoke with Prof. Frédéric Docquier (FD) of LISER to find out more.

RL: This event is labelled as a ‘landmark event’, what is it of such great importance?

FD: “This event marks a turning point for evidence-based policymaking in Luxembourg. As societies face increasingly complex challenges, there is a growing need for structured, data-driven policy development. The demand for impact evaluation is high, as highlighted by the Prime Minister’s statement that: “We need policies based on effectiveness, not popularity,” emphasizing the importance of reaching those most in need: “In other words, it’s not about helping more, but helping better. Ensuring aid effectively reaches those in need. Already, almost half of public spending is dedicated to social policy. But our measures often fail to reach those who need them most. Take rent subsidies, for example—precisely where help is most needed today—three quarters of those eligible do not receive the help they are eligible for.”

LISER has seen a significant rise in commissioned research over the past six years, approaching 30 studies per year. The Policy Lab will provide a formal framework to ensure high scientific standards and greater impact, strengthening LISER’s role in shaping effective public policy. LISER is ready to meet this growing demand for expert analysis and impact evaluation.”

RL: Why is it time to launch this ‘Policy Lab’?

FD: “First, Luxembourg and other European nations are facing pressing issues—such as tensions on the housing market, the pressure of an aging population on public finances, difficulties in economically integrating immigrants and refugees from culturally distant countries, enhancing social cohesion, the need to diversify the economy beyond finance—alongside global trends—such as digital and green transitions, economic erosion of the middle class, deglobalization pressures, geopolitical instability. Successive crises and globalization have also fueled public skepticism about democratic institutions and a rise of various forms of populism in many countries. We believe that improving the effectiveness, transparency and cost-efficiency of policies is likely to address some of these challenges and can help restore confidence in democracies.

Second, recent advances in impact evaluation methods—new data collection methods, analytical techniques and implementation protocols—allow for more sophisticated, high-precision policy evaluations. This makes it an ideal time for the Policy Lab.”

LISER’s Policy Lab will set a new standard in policy evaluation by significantly improving citizens’ well-being, boosting economic growth, and fostering resilience in society. Its efforts not only contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable future but also work to increase transparency, which, in turn, builds trust in public institutions

Prof. Frédéric Docquier

RL: What will be LISER’s role and other research actors in Luxembourg?

FD: “LISER will take the lead in ensuring that policies are formulated on the basis of empirical evidence. The LISER Policy Lab will accompany the policymaking process at every stage of the policy cycle, from the identification of innovative policies to ex-ante impact assessment, progress monitoring, and ex-post impact evaluation. LISER will work alongside national and international partners. LISER has always been open to cooperation with national partners such as the University of Luxembourg and STATEC. It will also integrate expertise of various international institutions such as J-PAL Europe, the Institut des Politique Publique at Paris School of Economics, NOVAFRICA, the United Nations, the World Bank, the Senegalese ANSD, etc. LISER is committed to finding the best experts worldwide to maximize the quality of its services and to maintain the highest level of scientific rigor.”

RL: How will a ‘Policy Lab’ impact research in Luxembourg as well as society as whole?

FD: “The LISER Policy Lab will increase the relevance of research by structuring studies around real societal needs. The Policy Lab covers a wide range of important topics, including the economy and employment, housing and urban planning, poverty reduction and fiscal reforms, integration and social cohesion, adaptation to climate change, transport and infrastructure, family policy, education and lifelong learning, development cooperation, health and social protection. It will set a new standard in policy evaluation by significantly improving citizens’ well-being, boosting economic growth, and fostering resilience in society. Its efforts not only contribute to a more prosperous and sustainable future but also work to increase transparency, which, in turn, builds trust in public institutions. By establishing such progressive and effective practices, Luxembourg can position itself as a model for other European nations to follow, demonstrating a commitment to innovative, citizen-centered governance that prioritizes long-term benefits for all.”

RL: The Nobel Prize Laureate, Prof. Abhijit Banerjee, is invited to give a much anticipated keynote lecture. What do you hope attendees take away from this and of the event?

FD: “Professor Abhijit Banerjee’s presence underscores the significance of applying scientific methods to policymaking. His lecture is expected to inspire policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to embrace a data-driven approach in addressing economic and social challenges. I think Professor Banerjee will convince the audience that experimental studies have matured and that methodologies are now grounded in sound ethical protocols. Concerns about external validity, heterogeneous effects, and the risks of scaling up have also been addressed seriously, ensuring that these studies are not only reliable, but also relevant to real-world applications. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how experimental and evidence-based research can lead to impactful policy decisions, reinforcing the mission of the LISER Policy Lab to create innovative and effective solutions for society.”

Futher information

Registation and event details:
Discover the programme and registration details on LISER’s event website.
(Note: registrations close on Monday March 10th)

About Frédéric Docquier.
Frédéric Docquier is the Deputy Director of LISER, a position he has held since September 2024, after joining the institute in 2019 as Research Program Leader on Crossing Borders. Prior to LISER, he was a Professor of Economics at the Université catholique de Louvain and a Research Associate at the National Fund for Economic Research. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Aix-Marseille 2. His research focuses on international migration, development, and growth theory. He has been a consultant for the World Bank, an expert for UNESCO, the UN High-Level Panel on the post-2015 Development Agenda, and Agence Française de Développement. He was Research Director at IRES at the Université catholique de Louvain from 2008 to 2012. He has published extensively in leading academic journals.

Similar articles