He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Master’s in Public Administration and International Development (MPA/ID) from the Harvard Kennedy School. Dr. Blattman’s research examines the causes and consequences of civil war, the ties between poverty and violence, strategies for poverty alleviation , as well as youth employment in Africa–especially among troubled or unstable populations, like ex-combatants, street youth, and refugees. Much of his work employs field experiments and natural experiments in conflict and post-conflict regions. He has ongoing studies in Liberia, Uganda, and Ethiopia.