Researcher Spotlight: Where Data Meets Policy, and Policy Meets People

PRESTO Researcher Spotlight Series | Issue 01 | Featuring Stephen Okiya

At PRESTO, we believe that effective policy begins with rigorous evidence and the people committed to generating it. Our Researcher Spotlight series is designed to take you behind the scenes — introducing the individuals whose expertise, dedication, and curiosity drive the research and analysis that informs policy decisions across Africa and beyond.

In this first installment, we sit down with Stephen Okiya, a Statistician and Economist whose work sits at the intersection of data analysis, social protection, and gender-responsive policy. His commitment to evidence-based, inclusive research is a reflection of what PRESTO stands for: research that does not just sit in reports, but reaches people.

Can you walk us through your background and what led you to the work you do today?

I am a Statistician and Economist with a strong passion for social protection, gender equality, and poverty reduction. I am deeply committed to using data-driven approaches to support inclusive and evidence-based policy making.

My interest in social protection grew significantly when I had the opportunity to work with the World Bank on the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP). That experience gave me valuable exposure to the role that social protection systems play in reducing vulnerability, improving livelihoods, and promoting economic resilience among disadvantaged populations. It strengthened my understanding of how well-designed social programs can change lives, and it inspired my continued interest in analyzing poverty and inequality, particularly in relation to gender inequality and the broader socioeconomic challenges facing vulnerable communities.

What does rigorous, impactful policy research look like to you, and how do you try to achieve that in your work?

To me, rigorous and impactful policy research is research that combines strong analytical methods with practical relevance to address real-world development challenges. It is not enough to produce work that is methodologically sound if it does not speak to the decisions that policymakers are actually facing.

I strive to ensure that my work is evidence-based and grounded in reliable data, while also producing insights that can directly inform policy decisions and improve social and economic outcomes. In practice, this means applying robust statistical and economic analysis, actively engaging stakeholders to understand policy needs, and keeping the focus on research that contributes to inclusive development, particularly in social protection, poverty reduction, and gender equality.

What is a piece of work or contribution you are particularly proud of, and why?

One contribution I am especially proud of is being part of the PRESTO team that supported development of an advocacy strategy for social protection. This was meaningful to me for several reasons.

The work was directly aimed at strengthening social protection systems and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children and disadvantaged households. Being able to apply my analytical and research skills to support policy-oriented discussions and strategic planning, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, reminded me of why I do this work. It reinforced my belief in the power of evidence to influence policies that promote equity, resilience, and inclusive social development.

Looking ahead, what kinds of work are you hoping to contribute to?

In the future, I hope to contribute to projects involving social protection system strengthening, poverty and vulnerability analysis, gender-responsive programming, and impact evaluation. I am especially drawn to work that combines research, data analysis, and policy engagement to generate practical solutions that can improve livelihoods and promote inclusive development outcomes.

The through-line in all of this is the same: rigorous analysis in service of real people.

A gender lens appears prominently in your work. Why is it so important when designing, implementing, and evaluating social protection programming?

A gender lens is essential in social protection programming because women and men often experience poverty and vulnerability in fundamentally different ways, shaped by deep-rooted social and economic inequalities. Without that lens, programs risk being designed around a default experience that does not reflect the realities of the most vulnerable.

Integrating gender considerations helps ensure that programs are inclusive, responsive to the specific needs of different groups, and genuinely effective in reducing inequalities. It supports better targeting, promotes economic empowerment, and improves overall program impact at the household and community level.

How can social protection be designed to be more gender-responsive in practice?

Gender-responsive design starts with recognizing that the challenges women and men face are not the same, and that program design needs to reflect that difference at every stage.

In concrete terms, this can mean improving women's access to cash transfers and financial services, addressing caregiving and domestic responsibilities that disproportionately fall on women, ensuring targeting mechanisms are inclusive, and supporting women's economic empowerment through skills development and livelihood programs. Critically, it also requires collecting and using gender-disaggregated data, so that program impacts can be properly assessed and interventions can be refined to reduce rather than reinforce existing inequalities.

Finally, what do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I enjoy spending quality time with my family. Whether it is sharing meals, having conversations, attending gatherings, or simply relaxing together, I value the connection and balance that family life brings. It also helps me recharge, which I think matters a great deal for doing work that requires sustained focus and genuine care.

This is the first post in PRESTO's Researcher Spotlight series. Each installment will feature a different member of our research team, offering insight into the expertise, values, and work that shapes what we do. Stay tuned for the next issue.