Uniting
Research and Policy

Lauren Manning, MPP'20, is a a senior behavior change advisor with Mercy Corps, a gender digital advocacy consultant with Save the Children US, and a consultant with the World Bank's Mind, Behavior, and Development unit. Her work focuses on global applications of behavioral science and thematic areas such as reducing gender-based violence, improving women's access to employment, and reducing malnutrition.

While at Harris Public Policy, in addition to beginning her current work with the World Bank over the summer of 2019, Manning also volunteered with a local violence prevention organization, served as a mentor with the Fried Public Policy and Service Mentorship Program, and was a senior editor with the Chicago Policy Review.

Prior to her time at the University of Chicago, Manning worked with Girl Rising, project managing a youth development pilot program in Thailand and Pakistan. Previously, she spent a year in northern Uganda as a Princeton in Africa Fellow, a fellowship program dedicated to investing in young leaders committed to the development and advancement of Africa. In Uganda, Manning focused on digital and strategic communications, capacity building, and coordination for education, livelihood, and reintegration programming in post-conflict communities.

Manning holds undergraduate degrees from Northwestern University in journalism and sociology with a civic engagement certificate on community development and education. During this time, she spent a quarter as an editorial intern for a local newspaper in Cape Town, South Africa, and completed reporting trips to Malawi and to Jordan.