Her current research explores the interactions between economic and political forces in developing countries, including the impact of government reforms and external interventions on institutional strength and economic growth. She is particularly interested in the role of information in enhancing political accountability and the influence of foreign aid on economic development. Her work combines theory and empirical work, conducting randomized trials where appropriate. Katherine holds a PhD in Economics from Brown University and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University. She has worked as a consultant for the World Bank in Madagascar, the Comoros and Indonesia, and has spent several years working with the Government of Sierra Leone.