Edwar Enrique Escalante

 My research primarily focuses on low and middle income countries, examining the interplay between political violence, economic development, local governance and political institutions. I utilize a mix of qualitative methods that use ethnographic research and case studies, alongside quantitative approaches like natural experiments, to explore the relationships between government institutions and non-state actors.

I hold a Ph.D. from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Texas Tech University. Prior to my graduate studies, I founded and directed Andes Libres, an educational think tank based in Cusco, Peru. Our initiatives focused on providing university students, rural communities and local entrepreneurs with insights into economics and public policies through public forums, conferences and debates. We also provided training on business operations and management, facilitating their connection with an extensive network of scholars and professionals from major universities across Peru.