Research
My research focuses on the economics of education, human capital development, and financial inclusion, with a regional focus on Colombia. I use quasi-experimental and experimental methods to evaluate the impact of infrastructure, technology, and policy interventions.
Working Papers
Economics of Education and Development
Gender Composition in Classrooms: Influences on Post-Secondary Schooling Choices (Working Paper)
with Kristof De Witte & Gloria L. Bernal
[PDF]
Black Gold and Dull Minds: The Impact of Oil Exploration Announcements on Education in Colombia (Working Paper)
with Christian Posso Suarez
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Moving into Greener Jobs: Impact of Oil Shocks on Students’ Career Choices (Working Paper)
with Karen Castaneda
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Financial Literacy and Small Business Development
Empowering Growth: A Longitudinal Analysis of Financial Literacy’s Impact on Colombian Small Businesses (Working Paper)
with Johan Lozano
[PDF]
Publications
Polanco-Jimenez, J. (2025). Road to the future: Identifying impacts of roads on education in Colombia. International Journal of Educational Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103339
Abstract
This study examines the impact of Colombia's road concession program on educational outcomes in public schools. Using a staggered difference-in-differences approach, I find that road improvements lead to a significant increase of 0.169 standard deviations in math scores, with the full effect materializing after project completion. Reading scores also show a positive, though less pronounced, trend. These findings are robust to various checks, including alternative estimators and control groups. Additionally, I observe reduced child labor participation and increased higher education pursuit following road improvements. This evidence suggests that Public-Private Partnerships-driven road concession programs can be effective tools for promoting human capital development in developing countries and that policymakers should consider the long-term educational benefits when evaluating infrastructure investments.