Oeindrila Dube

Philip K. Pearson Professor
University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy
Email: odube@uchicago.edu

Welcome! I study the forces that shape the political and economic development of society, with a focus on three themes: violent conflict, human cognition, and artificial intelligence.

I work at the intersection of development economics and political economy, and much of my research has focused on understanding the causes and consequences of violent conflict. My early work examined the role of poverty in conflict in Latin America, and I have since worked in Sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, and, most recently, the policing context in the US.

In this area, I have been exploring how cognitive tools can be used to reshape human behavior. As one example, I co-created a training that helps police officers navigate cognitive biases, and showed that it led to substantial reductions in uses of force in police interactions with civilians.

Another strand of my research examines how AI can be used to enhance human capacity. Here, I focus on building algorithmic innovations that aim to enhance productivity and promote economic development.

My research affiliations include the NBER, CEPR, BREAD, and J-PAL, where I serve on the Board and co-chair the Crime and Violence Sector.

I completed my PhD at Harvard University, my MPhil in Economics at Oxford University, and my undergraduate degree at Stanford University. I was also the recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship in 2002.

Note: I am on sabbatical in AY 2026–27, visiting the Bike Shop and the Department of Economics at MIT.