Research Seminars in Economics at UAM

The research seminars in economics is an initiative at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain. 

This series is hosted during term time by the Department of Economic Analysis: Economic Theory and Economic History.

It consists of presentations of leading national and international scholars and it is intended to be a discussion forum focused on current substantive issues and methods in any field of economics.

Upcoming seminars 

13/04/2026 at 1 pm 

Francesco Loiacono 

(European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, UK)

"Workplace contact and the hiring of refugees: Evidence from randomized internships"

Abstract: Can short-term workplace exposure overcome hiring barriers for underrepresented workers? We randomly assign firms to host refugee job-seekers for one-week internships in Uganda. Treated firms are twice as likely to employ refugees two years later, driven by hiring from the broader community, not just matched workers. Employers revise upward their beliefs about refugees’ soft skills, non-contractible attributes difficult to signal through resumes. Effects emerge gradually and persist, suggesting workplace contact reduces perceived risk in employment relationships. Effects concentrate among matches where both employers and refugees enter with positive baseline attitudes, highlighting targeting’s importance in program design. 

15/04/2026 at 1 pm 

Jenifer Ruiz Valenzuela 

(Universitat de Barcelona, Spain)

"Workplace contact and the hiring of refugees: Evidence from randomized internships"

Abstract: Can short-term workplace exposure overcome hiring barriers for underrepresented workers? We randomly assign firms to host refugee job-seekers for one-week internships in Uganda. Treated firms are twice as likely to employ refugees two years later, driven by hiring from the broader community, not just matched workers. Employers revise upward their beliefs about refugees’ soft skills, non-contractible attributes difficult to signal through resumes. Effects emerge gradually and persist, suggesting workplace contact reduces perceived risk in employment relationships. Effects concentrate among matches where both employers and refugees enter with positive baseline attitudes, highlighting targeting’s importance in program design. 

How to attend the seminar:

The seminar will be on-site in room 1-301 and also streamed on-line. 

To receive the seminar invitation with the streaming link, please send an email to teoriahistoriauam@gmail.com

Organisers: Jorge García Hombrados, Ana Nuevo Chiquero, Eugenio Zucchelli and Damian Pierri