Luis Espinoza Bardales is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs. His research interests lie at the intersection of trade and development. His research focuses on economic development from a sectorial/macro perspective, with an eye on potential lessons for policy. In particular, he is interested in understanding the main mechanisms behind sustained catch-up growth, structural transformation, and other markers of economic development, both from a historical and a contemporary perspective, and whether they can be fostered by active policy. In addition, Luis is interested in the role that differences in the strength of contract enforcement institutions across countries play in international trade patterns and firms’ global sourcing decisions, as well as how this role may be different for foreign multinational companies.

Luis earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan in 2024. Before pursuing his doctorate, Luis worked at the Center for International Development at Harvard University. Luis also holds a MPAID degree from Harvard University and a B.A. in Economics and a diploma in Applied Mathematics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.