Research – Jaakko Harkko

My research approach

I build evidence through causality, policy effectiveness, and implementation & governance.

CAUSALITY

Policy debates often confuse correlation with causation. My goal is to produce evidence that answers the question decision-makers actually face: what causes change, for whom, through which mechanisms—and with what uncertainty?

POLICY EFFECTIVENESS

Policies rarely operate one at a time. Effectiveness depends on how instruments and services combine, in what sequence, and under what conditions. I study what works in realistic policy mixes—and where interactions create synergies, trade-offs, or unintended effects.

IMPLEMENTATION & GOVERNANCE

Even strong evidence can fail in practice. Implementation quality, governance structures, and leadership often determine whether an intervention works at scale—and whether it lasts. I study the levers that turn evidence into reliable practice.