Lila Kumar Khatiwada, a senior researcher with the Evidence and Learning Division, has been with the Institute since 2013.
With a commitment to addressing global challenges, Lila’s extensive expertise spans a range of critical areas, including poverty and inequality, microfinance, natural resource management, agriculture, disaster risk reduction, gender, peacebuilding, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). His most notable contributions have been in impact assessment, where he’s leveraged knowledge of quasi-experimental design and mixed methods to conceive, execute, and evaluate global projects and programs.
Lila’s international portfolio includes countries such as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Nepal, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. He has collaborated with an array of renowned organizations, including the National Science Foundation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Department for International Development, U.S. Agency for International Development, United Nations Development Programme, European Union, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, U.S. Department of Labor, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Canadian International Development Agency, and International Finance Corporation — the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.
From 2010 to 2012, Lila worked with the University of Maryland College Park, where he engaged in policy research on the international stage. From 1993 to 2001, he helped implement development projects in rural areas focusing on microfinance, agricultural development, community forestry, WASH, and gender empowerment — all topics that deeply resonate with communities in his native country, Nepal.
Lila holds a Ph. D. in rural sociology specializing in community development from the University of Missouri and a master’s in rural sociology and environmental science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He also received a bachelor’s in agriculture from Nepal’s esteemed Tribhuvan University. Lila’s skill set is bolstered by a graduate certificate in geographic information systems (GIS) from the University of Missouri.
United States of America
Lila K Khatiwada
Sr Researcher
Pulte Institute, University of Notre Dame
Posted on 04/04/2025
I have implemented and evaluated numerous programs aimed at building resilience. However, when measuring the impact of large projects, I often find that the intended outcomes are not realized. A recurring issue lies in the theory of change, which is frequently overly ambitious—expecting, for example, that a single day of training will lead to improved income or solve food insecurity. This points to deeper design flaws, particularly the lack of meaningful involvement of local communities in shaping these programs.
After conducting over 20+ studies globally, I’ve come to believe that the problem doesn’t lie solely with donors. On the receiving end, local actors sometimes view these efforts as just another "project" rather than a genuine opportunity, and thus fail to take full advantage of what’s offered.
Evaluators, too, play a role—often producing reports that soften or overlook critical findings, rather than presenting an honest account of what the data reveal. It reminds me of an old Sanskrit fable: “ओष्ट्रनामे विवाहे देशु गीतं गायति गर्दभः, परस्परं प्रशंसतः—अहो रूपं, अहो ध्वनि:।”—"At the camel’s wedding, a donkey is invited to sing. Afterward, they praise each other: ‘What a beautiful voice!’ says the camel; ‘How handsome you are!’ replies the donkey.” This captures the tendency among donors and evaluators to complement each other, even when their efforts fall short of creating meaningful change in people’s lives.