Marie Gaarder

Email: mgaarder(at)3ieimpact(dot)org

Executive Director

Marie Gaarder

Dr. Marie M. Gaarder is the executive director of 3ie, leading the organization’s efforts to improve lives in low- and middle-income countries by supporting the generation and effective use of high-quality and relevant evidence to inform decision-making.

Marie has over 25 years of experience managing operational and research projects with a development focus. In her previous role in 3ie, as director for evaluation and global director for innovation and country engagement, Marie provided strategic direction and guidance to 3ie’s work in evaluation and synthesis. Prior to joining 3ie, she was a manager in the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, overseeing thematic, sector, corporate and project evaluations. She has also worked as the director of the evaluation department at the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, where she was in charge of independent evaluation of programs and activities financed over the Norwegian aid budget. Prior positions include being the deputy executive director of 3ie during the institution’s start-up years, and a senior social development economist at the Inter-American Development Bank, specializing in social protection and health programs in Central America. Marie has published extensively, including on the evaluation of cash transfer programs, evaluation in fragile and conflict-affected states, and how to increase the accountability for evidence use and for outcomes among development agencies and governments. A list of publications and reports is available below.

Marie is the co-chair of the International Development Coordinating Group within the Campbell Collaboration, a member of the Research Ethics Review Committee of the Partnership for Economic Policy, a member of the DFID-CDC Evaluation & Learning Programme Steering Group, and a member of the WFP’s impact evaluation Strategic Advisory Panel (SAP).

Marie holds a PhD in Economics from University College London, an MSc in Economics from London School of Economics and a graduate degree in Political Science, Arabic and Economics from the University of Oslo, Norway.

Recent publications

  • Yanfei et al. (2025), Meta-epidemiology and reporting characteristics of mapping reviews: a scoping review, Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, Volume 179, 111648
  • Gaarder, M. (2024), 3ie: a ‘balloon-squeezing’ approach to the theory of change, in Koleros, A., Adrien, M.-H., & Tyrrell, T. (Eds.). (2024). Theories of Change in Reality: Strengths, Limitations    and    Future    Directions    (1st    ed.).    Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032669618
  • Gaarder, M. (forthcoming), From one who changed hats a few times, in IADB coordinated book about accumulated experiences from impact evaluators.
  • Goel, N., Khatua, S., and Gaarder, M. (2021), Making data reusable: lessons learned from replications of impact evaluations, PLOS ONE
  • Jeffrey, A., Dahlgren, A., Barends, E., Boruch, R., Brennan, M., Chalmers, I., Chislett, J., Cunliffe-Jones, P., Haines, A., Heneghan, C., Gaarder, M., Matthews, R., Maynard, B., Randall, N., Oxman, A., Oxman, M., Pullin, A., Roddam, H., Schoonees, A., Sharples, J., Stewart, R., Stott, J., Tallis, R., Thomas, N., Vale, L. (2019). Key concepts for making informed choices. Nature. 2019 Aug;572(7769):303-306. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02407-9.
  • Waddington, H., Sonnenfeld, A., Finetti, J., Gaarder, M. and Stevenson, J (2019), Participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability (PITA) to improve public services in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. 3ie Systematic review 43, 2019
  • Gaarder, M. (2019), A commentary to ‘Bridging to Action Requires Mixed  Methods Not Randomised Control Trials’, European Journal of Development Research, 31: 169.  https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-019-00199-2
  • Gaarder, M. and Dixon, V. (2018), Misdiagnosis and the evidence trap: a tale of inadequate program design. 3ie blog: https://www.3ieimpact.org/blogs/misdiagnosis-and-evidence-trap-tale-   inadequate-program-design
  • Gaarder, M. and Harten, S. (2018), RCTs and rural development – an abundance of opportunities. The International Journal for Rural Development, Vol 52, No 1.
  • Kelly, L. and Gaarder, M. (2017), Third Party Monitoring in Volatile Environments - Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks? 11 July 2017. IEG Blog. Available at:  https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/blog/third-party-monitoring-volatile-environments
  • Gaarder,    M.    (2016),    We    come    in    peace!    (from    ‘Mars    Attacks!’),    IEG    Blog:
    https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/blog/we-come-peace-mars-attacks
  • Gaarder, M., Masset, E., Beynon, P. and Chapoy, C. (forthcoming), I disseminate therefore I influence? Results of an experiment in research communication. Policy Research Working Paper, the World Bank.
  • Strand, J. and M. Gaarder (2016), Getting more Bank for the buck, WBG Blog:  http://blogs.worldbank.org/developmenttalk/getting-more-bank-buck
  • Snilstveit, B., Vojtkova, M., Bhavsar, A., Stevenson, J. and M. Gaarder, (2016), Evidence & Gap Maps: A tool for promoting evidence informed policy and strategic research agendas, Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, Vol. 79, 120–129.
  • Gaarder, M. and U. Bartsch (2015), Creating a Market for Outcomes: Shopping for Solutions, Journal of Development Effectiveness, 7:3, 304-316.
  • Gaarder, M. and U. Bartsch (2014), Who cares about development outcomes? Market failures and the role of the evaluation function, Journal of Development Effectiveness, 6:4, 361-377.
  • Gaarder, M. and  U. Bartsch (2014), The  Second  Wave  of Independence:  Shopping  for Solutions, Policy Research Working Paper 7069, the World Bank, October 2014.
  • Snilstveit, B., Vojtkova, M., Bhavsar, A. and M. Gaarder (2013), Evidence Gap Maps: a tool for promoting evidence-informed policy and prioritize future research, Policy Research Working Paper 6725, the World Bank, December 2013.
  • Gaarder, M. M. and J. Annan (2013), Impact Evaluation for Peacebuilding: challenging preconceptions, in Winckler, O., Kennedy-Choane, M. and B. Bull (eds.), Evaluation methodologies for aid in conflict, Routledge.
  • Gaarder, M. M. and J. Annan (2013), Impact Evaluation of Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Interventions, Policy Research Working Paper 6496, the World Bank, June 2013.
  • Edoardo M., Gaarder, M., Beynon, P. and C. Chapoy (2013); What is the impact of a policy brief?  Results  of  an  experiment  in  research  dissemination,  Journal  of  Development Effectiveness, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 50-63.
  • Beynon, P., Gaarder, M., Chapoy, C. and Masset, E. (2012), Passing on the Hot Potato: Lessons from a Policy Brief Experiment. IDS Bulletin, 43: 68–75.
  • Gaarder, M, The impact of cash transfer programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) forum, june 2012, http://www.naiforum.org/2012/06/the-impact-of-cash-  transfer-programmes-in-sub-saharan-africa/
  • Beynon, P., Chapoy, C., Gaarder, M. and E. Masset (2012), Research Communications Impact, report prepared for the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation, 3ie.
  • Gaarder, M. M. (2012), Conditional versus unconditional cash: a commentary, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 4, Issue 1, 130-13
  • Davis, B., Gaarder, M., Handa, S. and J. Yablonski (2012), Evaluating the impact of cash transfer programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: an introduction to the special issue, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 4, Issue 1, 1-8
  • Gaarder, M. M. and B. Briceño (2010), Institutionalisation of Government Evaluation: Balancing Trade-Offs. Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 2, Issue 3.
  • Gaarder, M. M. and B. Briceño (2010), Institutionalisation of Government Evaluation: Balancing Trade-Offs. 3ie Working Paper 8.
  • Gaarder, M. M. (2010), Special Section Introduction: Conditional Cash Transfer Programs: Opening the Black Box, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 2, Issue 1.
  • Gaarder, M. M., Glassman, A. and J. Todd (2010), Conditional Cash Transfers and Health: unpacking the causal chain, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 2, Issue 1.
  • Briceño, B. and M. M. Gaarder (2009), Institutionalizing Evaluation: A Review of International Experience, 3ie Report, http://www.3ieimpact.org//reports/India_Report_DFID.pdf.
  • Gaarder, M. M. and H. White (2009), The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie): an introduction, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 1, Issue 3.
  • Glassman, A., Todd, J. and M. Gaarder (2009), ‘Latin America: Cash Transfers to Support Better Household Decisions’, chapter 6 in Rena, E. and R. Levine (eds.), Performance Incentives for Global Health: Potential and Pitfalls, Center for Global Development.
  • Gaarder, M.M. et al. (2008), Cash transfer programs: the short-term responses to the hike in food prices?, Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Gaarder, M. M. (2007), ‘Efficiency and Effectiveness of Two Social Programs Through the Lens of an Expenditure Tracking Survey’, Chapter 3 in Costa Rica: Public Expenditure Review, Report No. 40774-CR, Document of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Glassman, A., Gaarder, M. M., and J. Todd (December 2006), Demand-side incentives for better health for the poor: conditional cash transfer programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, RE2-06-033, Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Glassman, A., J. Todd and M. M. Gaarder (April 2007), Performance-Based Incentives for Health: Conditional Cash Transfer Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, Center for Global Development Working Paper #120
  • Gaarder, M. M. (2004) “Desempeño de los mecanismos de auditoría operativa del Programa de Desarrollo Humano Oportunidades.” Nota Técnica No.4. Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID).
  • Gaarder, M. M. (2004) “La eficiencia operativa del sistema de distribución de suplementos
    alimenticios del Programa de Desarrollo Humano Oportunidades.” Nota Técnica No 5., BID.
  • Sollis, P., Gaarder, M. M., and W. Munar (December 2003), Mapping Community Capacity: An evidence-based approach to program design and execution, Sector Study Series, IADB
  • M. Gaarder (September 2003), The Distributional effects of Illness when Recuperation is Endogenous, Economics and Sector Study Series, RE2-03-004, Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Maddison, D. and M. M. Gaarder (2002), ‘Quantifying and Valuing Life Expectancy Changes Due To Air Pollution In Developing Countries’, in D. Pearce, C. Pearce and C. Palmer (eds), Valuing the Environment in Developing Countries, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK.
  • M. M. Gaarder (2002), Can population characteristics account for the variation in health impacts of air pollution? A meta-analysis of PM10-mortality studies, CSERGE Discussion Paper (http://www.cserge.ucl.ac.uk/publications.html ).

REPORTS

Below are some of the large evaluation reports that have been initiated and/or produced under my supervision and quality assurance:

  • IEG/WBG. 2017. Results and Performance of the World Bank Group 2016.
  • IEG/WBG. 2017. Higher Education for Development: An Evaluation of the World Bank Group’s Support for Higher Education.
  • IEG/WBG. 2016. Results and Performance of the World Bank Group 2015.
  • IEG/WBG. 2016. Behind the Mirror: A Report on the World Bank Group’s Self-Evaluation Systems
  • IEG/WBG. 2016. WBG Engagement in Situations of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence
  • IEG/WBG. 2016. Program for Results: An Early-Stage Assessment of the Process and Effects of a New Lending Instrument
  • IEG/WBG. 2015. Learning and Results in World Bank Operations. Evaluation II
  • IEG/WBG. 2015. World Bank Group Support to Electricity Access, FY2000–FY2014
  • IEG/WBG. 2014. Learning and Results in World Bank Operations. Evaluation I
  • Norad. 2014/1. Can We Demonstrate the Difference that Norwegian Aid Makes? Evaluation Report
  • Norad. 2014/7. Impact Evaluation of the Norway India Partnership Initiative Phase II for Maternal and Child Health – Baseline. Evaluation Report.
  • Norad. 2013/4. Evaluation of Five Humanitarian Programmes of the Norwegian Refugee Council and of the Standby Roster NORCAP. Evaluation Report.
  • Norad. 2012. Use of Evaluations in the Norwegian Development Cooperation System
  • Norad. 2012. A Study of Monitoring and Evaluation in Norwegian Civil Society Organisations.
  • Norad. 2012. Evaluation of Norwegian Development Cooperation with Afghanistan 2001 – 11
  • Norad. 2012. Evaluation of the Health Results Innovation Trust Fund (HRITF)

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Co-chair of the International Development Coordinating Group (IDCG) within the Campbell Collaboration
  • Co-editor in chief of the Journal of Development Effectiveness
  • Member of the WFP’s impact evaluation Strategic Advisory Panel (SAP)
  • Member of an alliance of researchers across disciplines ‘Key Concepts for Informed Choices’