Elizabeth Jaramillo-Rojas

I am an economist working at the Inter-American Development Bank on the Research Team of the Education Division. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University.

My research focuses on the economics of education and the economics of crime and violence prevention, with a particular interest in how public policy can improve the lives of the poor. I study the impact of education, social, and drug policies on schooling, crime, and local economic activity, using randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental methods.

I also work on the design and evaluation of artificial intelligence tools for the public sector. Alongside my research, I work with governments on the design and implementation of public programs.

I hold a MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from Tilburg University, and a MA in Economics, a BSc in Industrial Engineering, and a BA in Economics from Universidad de los Andes.

You can contact me at ejaramillo@u.northwestern.edu, and find my CV here.

Working Papers

Beyond Recipients: Sibling Spillovers of College Financial Aid (with Fabio Sanchez) [SSRN]

Drug Eradication, Agriculture, and the Formal Economy: Spillovers from Coca Fumigation [Draft available soon]

A Dynamic Analysis of Teachers' Allocation Mechanisms (with Gregory Elacqua, Paula Jaramillo, and Çağatay Kayı) [Draft available soon]

Dynamic Complementarities in the Production of Human Capital [SSRN] [Submitted]

Work in Progress

Scalable Mentoring for Teachers: Evidence from an AI Intervention
(with Gregory Elacqua, Ana Teresa del Toro, and Catalina Hermosilla)
[Registered in the AEA RCT Registry, unique identifying number: AEARCTR-0017934]

Hidden Strengths: Adversity, Adaptation, and the Measurement of Skills
(with Alejandra Campos-Quintero)

The Hidden Career Effects of Extended Paid Leave: Evidence from Brazil
(with Karla Hernandez)

An Early Warning System for Teachers: AI-Powered Dropout Prevention at Scale in Guatemala (with Gregory Elacqua, Raquel Fernández, and Ana Teresa del Toro) [Pilot in progress]

Technical and Vocational Education and Criminal Involvement: Evidence from Colombia’s Dual Certification Program
(with Fabio Sanchez, Maria Fernanda Prada, and Gregory Elacqua)

Expanding College Access and the Opportunity Costs of Criminal Engagement
(with Ervyn Norza)

Teaching

Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University
Economics of Gender — Winter 2025, Winter 2024, Fall 2024
Labor Economics — Spring 2024, Fall 2022
Introduction to Microeconomics — Winter 2023, Spring 2022, Winter 2022, Fall 2021

Distinguished Teaching Assistant Award, Northwestern University 2024 and 2025
→ Download Teaching Evaluations (PDF)

Teaching Assistant, Universidad de Los Andes
Intermediate Econometrics — January 2014 – December 2014