Michelle Kaffenberger is the Head of Evidence Translation for the What Works Hub for Global Education, University of Oxford, and a Senior Fellow with the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University. Michelle leads and oversees multidisciplinary research and policy synthesis to improve foundational learning in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on translating evidence into actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers. She provides strategic leadership and management to the evidence translation team and workstreams and contributes to cross-programme learning, strategic partnerships, and policy engagement.
Previously, Michelle was Deputy Director of Research and Research Fellow with the RISE Programme at the University of Oxford, where she conducted research on improving education system alignment for learning, and led strategy, programmatic and research activities. Michelle has also served as Senior Research Advisor with the World Bank, helping launch a new global partnership for social protection system reform. She has consulted for and advised bilateral and multilateral organisations, major philanthropic donors, non-governmental organisations, and private sector actors. Her research has been covered by the Economist, Financial Times, CNN, and national newspapers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Indonesia (among others).
Michelle began her career establishing a new base of operations for an international nonprofit in Darjeeling, India. She holds an MA in Economic Development from Vanderbilt University, and a BA in Political Science from Ohio University. Michelle is based in Washington DC.
