Javiera Cartagena-Farias is an economist and works at the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She has been part of GOLTC from the very beginning, she leads the steering group of the Quasi-Experimental Methods and has co-authored four methods guides: Difference-in-Difference, Propensity Score Matching, Synthetic Control and Research Discontinuity Design.

We have asked Javiera:

• How did you start working on long-term care?

After completing my PhD in Economics, I worked at a social research consultancy, where I focused on projects related to health inequalities using administrative and survey data, and developed a strong interest in applying my analytical and quantitative skills in this area.

After a couple of years, I decided to return to academia and joined the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) at LSE. Although I initially knew little about long-term care, the focus on inequalities and large datasets closely matched my research interests.

I moved into this role, and the rest is history!

• How do you think your work can help make a difference?

I believe robust evidence is fundamental for informing policy and decision-making. I hope my work provides insights into the effects of policy changes on the long-term care system as a whole, including impacts on the state and local authorities, as well as on individuals who need support.

More broadly, I also hope my research helps identify what works, for whom, and under what circumstances, so that policies can be designed more effectively and equitably, ultimately contributing to a more responsive and sustainable care system.

• What role has GOLTC played in supporting your work on long-term care?

The GOLTC has played an important role in supporting my work on long-term care. It has provided a valuable virtual network of researchers with diverse expertise, all working on improving understanding and approaches within long-term care research. It has also given me visibility as a lead and member of the quasi-experimental interest group, allowing me to share my work through presentations and paper discussions. In addition, it has facilitated collaborations with other researchers and helped me connect with international experts in areas of interest.