Francisco P. Flores-Taipe
I am a development economist interested in Education, Gender, and Behavioral Economics.
I received my MSc. in Economic Behavior and Governance from the University of Kassel in 2018. I am a research fellow at the International Center for Higher Education Research (INCHER) and a member of the Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA).
You can contact me at franciscopabloflores@gmail.com, and see my CV here.
- Scholar Google: Francisco P. Flores-Taipe
- ORCID: 0000-0001-8354-0472
Publications and Working Papers
Academic aspirations and income inequality: spillover effects of a video-based role model intervention among teenagers. (Job Market Paper)
Abstract: This article examines the influence of poverty on academic aspirations by introducing a novel approach that links academic preferences with potential economic returns. Using data from 16,570 Ecuadorian high school students, I document that low-income students’ set lower aspirations than their high-income peers only because of their position in the income distribution. Moreover, I report inconsistencies between academic preferences and earning expectations, making students, especially low-income students, susceptible to experiencing frustration. Data from a stratified randomized control trial indicate that video-based content featuring role models cannot reduce the gap between poor and rich students. However, it exhibits positive effects within groups. For instance, the aspiration level is 8.4%(midline) and 12.3% (endline) higher for low-income treatment than for low-income placebo students. It suggests that treated students could earn about 270.33 US$ more than their placebo peers each month. The increase accounts for 68% of the Ecuadorian basic salary. I report similarly positive results with different magnitudes for the subsample of mid-low and mid-high-income students. Findings highlight media content’s potential to influence non-high-income adolescents’ decisions and economic outcomes through reinforcing aspirations.
Last presentation: ESA's Job Market Seminar Series (December 14, 2022)
System-, Teacher-, and Student-level Interventions for Improving Participation in Online Learning at Scale in High Schools (with Asanov, Igor; Asanov (Noha), Anastasiya; Astebro, Thomas; Buenstorf, Guido; Crepón, Bruno; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; and Schulte, Mathis). Forthcoming PNAS.
Remote-learning, time-use, and mental health of Ecuadorian high-school students during the COVID-19 quarantine (with Asanov, Igor; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; and Schulte, Mathis). World Development 138 (2021).
Work in Progress
Effects of a Role Models Intervention on Promoting STEM and Entrepreneurship Activities among High School Students (with Asanov, Igor; Astebro, Thomas; Buenstorf, Guido; Crepón, Bruno; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; and Schulte, Mathis).
Showing Life Opportunities: Preliminary analysis of effect of Entrepreneurial training (with Asanov, Igor; Asanov (Noha), Anastasiya; Astebro, Thomas; Buenstorf, Guido; Crepón, Bruno; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; and Schulte, Mathis).
Grants and Awards
2019 - Path to Scale Award
Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA)
Project: Showing Life Opportunities: Increasing opportunity-driven entrepreneurship and STEM careers through online courses in schools.
SIEF's COVID-19 Emergency Window (Grant)
The World Bank Group
Project: Transitioning from In-School to At-Home Virtual Learning in High Schools: Lessons from Ecuador during the Covid-19 shutdown
IGL Grants Program
Innovation Growth Lab
Project: Showing Life Opportunities: Increasing opportunity-driven entrepreneurship and STEM careers through online courses in schools