MEDAL conducts rigorous economic research on pressing policy questions in decarbonisation, environmental protection, and industrial development. Our work spans two research programs: field experiments that use new technologies and real-time data to study how consumers and firms respond to prices and incentives in electricity, transport, and water systems; and the construction of novel datasets — using satellite imagery, AI, and trade data — to study industrial pollution, deforestation, and energy market reform in rapidly industrializing economies.
We run a weekly reading group during the term, host visitors, workshops and research symposia, and work with a group of talented students and research assistants.
Objectives
Generate rigorous evidence on environmental policy
We study how policies actually work: which carbon pricing schemes reduce emissions, how infrastructure design shapes EV adoption, and whether market reforms deliver equitable outcomes.
Build new data where none exists
We develop original datasets using satellite imagery, air circulation models, and firm-level trade data to measure industrial activity and environmental change in places where traditional data falls short.
Engage government and industry partners
We work with regulators, utilities, and industry to ensure our research addresses real policy questions and reaches the people who can act on it.
Research
Harnessing behavioural responses for social good
We run randomised controlled trials using real-time data and digital platforms to study how consumers and firms respond to prices and incentives in electricity, transport, and water systems. The goal is to design smarter systems — ones that reduce road and charger congestion, smooth energy demand peaks, and support better environmental outcomes.
Data, industry and environmental change
We build original datasets — combining firm-level trade data, satellite imagery, and air circulation models — to measure industrial activity, energy use, air quality, and land use change in places where conventional data is limited or absent. Current projects study the distributional effects of the EV rollout in China, the role of migration and crop burning on deforestation and air pollution in Indonesia and Brazil, and the effectiveness of carbon taxes and offsets in reducing emissions from heavy industry in India.
Want to know more?
For more information about our research or how you can participate, get in touch with the MEDAL team.
Our team
Kaiyue Chen
