Our History & Vision

Founded in 1985, LAM has grown from a small policy advisory group into a leading thought leadership platform for program learning and adaptive management. With decades of experience in international development, we have helped shape evaluation practice, informed program design, and supported decision-makers across development organizations globally.

Our vision is a world where evidence systematically guides development decisions, learning is embedded in program design, and every practitioner — regardless of background — has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the advancement of human understanding. We pursue this vision by maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, fostering inclusive intellectual communities, and translating research into real-world impact.

Today, LAM is home to over 500 researchers, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students from 45 countries. Our work spans six continents, and our publications appear regularly in the most prestigious peer-reviewed journals in the world.

Academic Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of scholarly rigor, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our research and intellectual endeavors.

Inclusivity & Diversity

We believe diverse perspectives strengthen scholarship. We actively cultivate an inclusive environment where all voices contribute to knowledge creation.

Open Knowledge

We are committed to open-access publishing, public engagement, and making our research findings freely available to policymakers, practitioners, and the public.

Global Impact

Our research addresses global challenges. We measure our success not only by academic metrics but by the tangible difference our work makes in communities worldwide.