Insights: Examining practical applications of data analysis, economic principles, and policy development in everyday life
In the heart of Armenia, a transformation is underway, driven by the application of data-driven approaches to policymaking. This shift is largely due to the impact of the MITx MicroMasters program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP), which has empowered professionals, such as Gevorg Minasyan, to tackle social and economic issues more effectively.
Minasyan, now the director of the Research and Training Center at the Central Bank of Armenia, found the DEDP MicroMasters program during his time at the bank. The program, which combines rigorous training in economics, data analysis, and impact evaluation with a strong emphasis on practical application, provided him with the tools needed to craft better public policy.
After completing the DEDP MicroMasters, Minasyan was inspired to pursue MIT's Master's in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy program. This residential master's program further sharpened his technical and analytical skills and fundamentally changed the way he thinks about policymaking.
Today, Minasyan is committed to advancing this transformation by building systems, skills, and partnerships that can sustain evidence-based policymaking in Armenia for the long term. He is part of an inter-agency policy team working on Armenia's national push towards a cashless economy, using analytical tools from DEDP to evaluate and propose regulatory adjustments.
Minasyan's work extends beyond the Central Bank. He has sought to institutionalize a culture of evidence-based policymaking at the bank and more broadly in Armenia. This commitment is evident in the workshop he co-hosted with J-PAL Europe, focusing on integrating evidence throughout the policy cycle, from defining the problem to designing interventions and conducting rigorous evaluations.
Minasyan's goal is to foster a stronger feedback culture in policymaking, prioritizing learning before scaling and promoting experimentation, piloting, and iteration. This approach is reflected in his work with students, where he investigates the constraints that hinder firm performance with the ultimate goal of producing data-driven research that could inform business strategy in Armenia.
The impact of the DEDP program in Armenia is primarily inferred from participant testimonials of improved policy design capabilities, though detailed case studies are not visible in the available search results. However, the program’s global influence, as exemplified in Uruguay and Brazil, illustrates how it builds capacity to harness AI, data science, and economic analysis for social policy improvements.
The DEDP MicroMasters program created a vibrant, diverse community, with students and professionals from dozens of countries. Minasyan, like many other alumni from Armenia, has shared how the program helped him create better public policy and tackle urgent real-world challenges using advanced data analysis and policy design techniques.
In a conversation with MIT Open Learning, Minasyan spoke about his journey through the DEDP programs, key takeaways, and how what he learned at MIT continues to guide his work. He emphasised the benefits of the blended structure of the DEDP MicroMasters program, which allowed him to pursue a top-tier education while continuing his full-time responsibilities.
As Armenia continues to navigate its future, the role of data-driven policymaking will undoubtedly play a crucial part. With leaders like Minasyan, who are committed to advancing this transformation, the country is well-positioned to address its challenges and create a more inclusive, effective, and responsive policy landscape.
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- The DEDP MicroMasters program, a combination of education in economics, data analysis, and impact evaluation, is transforming the mental approach to policymaking in Armenia.
- Gevorg Minasyan, now the director of the Research and Training Center at the Central Bank of Armenia, found this data-driven program essential for crafting better public policy.
- After completing the DEDP MicroMasters, Minasyan pursued MIT's Master's program to further sharpen his skills and deepen his understanding of policymaking.
- Minasyan is dedicated to building an ecosystem that sustains evidence-based policymaking in Armenia, working on regulatory adjustments for the country's push towards a cashless economy.
- Beyond the Central Bank, Minasyan is committed to institutionalizing a culture of evidence-based policymaking, evident in his workshops focusing on integrating evidence throughout the policy cycle.
- Minasyan aims to foster a stronger feedback culture in policymaking, prioritizing learning, experimentation, piloting, and iteration, particularly in his work with students on data-driven research.
- The global influence of the DEDP program, as seen in Uruguay and Brazil, demonstrates its effectiveness in building capacity to harness AI, data science, and economic analysis for social policy improvements, creating a diverse online-education community of students and professionals from around the world.
