Alfonso J. Pedraza Martinez – The Conversation

A functioning water pump in Malawi. Courtesy Michael Caterina.

March 29, 2026

Handpumps bring water to rural African communities, but many are broken – study models how best to maintain them

Chengcheng Zhai, University of Notre Dame; Alfonso J. Pedraza Martinez, University of Notre Dame; Jorge Mejia, Indiana University; Kurt M. Bretthauer, Indiana University, and Rodney Parker, Indiana University

Over 100,000 water handpumps in rural sub-Saharan Africa are broken, leaving millions without safe water. Regular maintenance is cheaper than repairs.

Food banks can operate on a large scale that requires expensive equipment and skilled management. Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images

October 18, 2023

Nonprofits can become more resilient by spending more on fundraising and admin − new research

Telesilla Kotsi, The Ohio State University and Alfonso J. Pedraza Martinez, University of Notre Dame

Donors and grantmakers often pressure nonprofits to spend as little as possible on fundraising and overhead.

When refugees get money, it can stimulate the local economy. Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images

June 3, 2022

Giving refugees money instead of stuff can lead to price gouging – but it doesn’t have to

Owen Wu, Indiana University; Alfonso J. Pedraza Martinez, Indiana University, and Telesilla Kotsi, The Ohio State University

Cash assistance programs can be designed with incentives that encourage local retailers to keep their prices steady.

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