Leveraging AI for Scalable Social Impact in the Global South

The Social Catalyst Lab (SCL) is a research initiative focused on discovering scalable solutions to critical challenges faced by communities across the Global South. By combining Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and rapid experimentation, we identify innovative approaches with the greatest potential to advance key goals for social progress, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our methodology is fast, iterative, and deeply contextualized, ensuring our solutions meet the unique cultural, social, and economic realities of local communities. The lab was developed by economists David Yanagizawa-Drott and Kobbina Awuah, alongside a team from the University of Zurich.

Currently, we are actively testing and refining our interventions across several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, committed to generating robust scientific insights and tangible social impact.

Big Data

We leverage very large datasets, conducive for the testing of many potential solutions to societal challenges.

Artificial Intelligence

We employ state-of-the-art artificial intelligence architectures, in order to expand the scope for discovery.

Rapid Experimentation

To identify causal impacts and discover interventions high social returns, we employ the scientific gold standard of randomized control trials.

News

AI Opportunities for Global South

David Yanagizawa-Drott

How AI can truly change the world

Sendhil Mullainathan & David Yanagizawa-Drott

AI unleashed

UBS Center Forum

Our Team

David Yanagizawa-Drott

David Yanagizawa-Drott

Research Director and Co-Founder

University of Zurich

Urša Krenk

Urša Krenk

Managing Director and Postdoc

University of Zurich

Kobbina Awuah

Kobbina Awuah

Co-Founder and Advisor

University of Zurich

Michèle Himmelrich

Michèle Himmelrich

Administrative Assistant

University of Zurich

Research Staff

Olaf de Rohan Willner

Olaf de Rohan Willner

Predoctoral Fellow

University of Zurich

Andrin Pluess

Andrin Pluess

Predoctoral Fellow

University of Zurich

Céline Aeschbacher

Céline Aeschbacher

Research Assistant

University of Zurich

Giuliano Ripari

Giuliano Ripari

Research Assistant

University of Zurich

Students

Daniela Santos-Cárdenas

Daniela Santos-Cárdenas

PhD Candidate

University of Zurich

Stine Helmke

Stine Helmke

PhD Candidate

University of Zurich

Rafael Hernández Pachón

Rafael Hernández Pachón

PhD Candidate

University of Zurich

Sara Rabino

Sara Rabino

PhD Candidate

University of Zurich

Alumni

Navid Samadi

Master Student

Marco Caporaletti

Master Student

Jonas Esterer

Master Student

Nils Rütten

Bachelor Student

Research

Work in Progress

Finding Talent in the Age of AI

with K. Awuah, U. Krenk

Working Paper

Is Social Learning Gendered?

with K. Awuah, S. Helmke, R. Hernández, U. Krenk, S. Rabino, D. Santos Cardenás

in progress

How Are Gender Norms Perceived?

with L. Bursztyn, A. Cappelen, B. Tungodden, A. Voena

Working Paper

Our Presence

World Map

Switzerland

University of Zurich - Research Hub

Ghana

SCL Field Office & Research Implementation

Kenya

Research Implementation & Field Operations

Tanzania

Research Implementation & Field Operations

Collaborate with us

If your organization is interested in a research collaboration or has a media request, please contact us and we will respond as soon as possible.