Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)

Description

The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) is a British economic research centre aiming to develop a systematic methodological and economic framework for poverty reduction, based on individuals' experiences and values.

OPHI develops new methodologies and tools, applying them with national governments, international organizations, and others, primarily in developing countries. Its work focuses on:

• Widening poverty measurement: OPHI develops and implements "multidimensional" measures of poverty, well-being, and inequality. These measures surpass traditional one-dimensional approaches by incorporating aspects such as health, education, living standards, quality of work, and more innovative dimensions.
• Influencing policy: OPHI's methodologies have been adopted by policymakers, including the United Nations Development Programme's flagship Human Development Report (which began publishing OPHI's global Multidimensional Poverty Index - MPI - in 2010) and national governments, such as Mexico, Bhutan, and Colombia.
• Enhancing capacity: OPHI offers academic courses and technical training programs on multidimensional poverty and human development. It collaborates with universities, development agencies, governments, research institutions, and policymakers. OPHI disseminates its work through leading academic journals like the Journal of Economic Inequality and Journal of Public Economics, as well as its own Working Papers and Research in Progress series.
• Improving poverty data: OPHI has developed survey modules to measure five overlooked dimensions of poverty data that are highly valued by impoverished individuals. These dimensions include the quality of work, empowerment, physical safety, the ability to move without shame, and psychological well-being.

OPHI's work is rooted in Amartya Sen's capability approach. The centre implements this approach by creating practical tools and methods that inform policies addressing poverty in all its dimensions.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2007

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Oxford
Oxford