Nicholas A. Wright, PhD

Nicholas A. Wright is an Assistant Professor in the Economics Department at Florida International University. He holds a PhD in Economics from Georgia State University and undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of the West Indies.

His research utilizes experimental and quasi-experimental methods to study policy-relevant issues in education, public health, and development economics. His research agenda can be divided into three different strands (i) evaluating educational programs in developing countries, (ii) examining how light-touched interventions can be leveraged to improve students’ academic outcomes, and (iii) examining the impact of various policies on public health and crime.

His research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the World Bank Economic Review, Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Health Economics, Journal of Sport Economics, Economics of Education Review, Labour Economics, Education Economics, and Economics Bulletin.

You can view my CV here.

Publications

Under Review

[R&R] Stewart, A., & Wright, N. From Crisis to Control: Are State of Emergency Interventions a Short-Term Fix to Crime in Jamaica? Revise & Resubmit.

[UR] Wright, N., Denvil, D., Harris, A., & Stephenson, A. The Road to Recovery: Did Jamaica’s Debt Restructuring Save the Budget but Strain the People? Under Review.

[UR] Wright, N., & Akeem, C. Who Benefits Most? Examining the Heterogeneous Impact of a Need-Based Grant Program in Jamaica. Under Review.

Published

[12] Wright, N., & Akeem, C. Breaking the Language Barrier? Exam Fee Subsidies and Spanish Proficiency. Accepted, Economía LACEA Journal.

[11] Wright, N., Arora, P., & Wright, J. I Promise to Work Hard: The Impact of Written Pledges on Student Performance. Accepted, Education Finance and Policy.

[10] Wright, N. (2025). Girls Dominate, Boys Left Behind: Decomposing the Gender Gap in Education Outcomes in Jamaica. Economía LACEA Journal, 24(1): 21–42.

[9] Wright, N., & Stewart, A. (2025). The Impact of Weather Shocks on Violent and Property Crimes in Jamaica. World Bank Economic Review, 39(1): 85–103.

[8] Stewart, A., & Wright, N. (2024). The Impact of International Sporting Events on Crime: Evidence From Jamaica. Journal of Sport Economics, 25(5).

[7] Wright, N., & Harris, A. (2023). The Labor Market Effects of Gas Price Fluctuations. Economics Bulletin.

[6] Wright, N., & Dorilas, E. (2022). Do Cellphone Bans Save Lives? Evidence From Handheld Laws on Traffic Fatalities. Journal of Health Economics, 102659.

[5] Wright, N., & Arora, P. (2022). What Are My Chances? Incomplete Information and College Students’ Effort. Economics of Education Review, 88: 102238.

[4] Wright, N. (2021). Need-Based Financing Policies, College Decision-Making, and Labor Market Behavior. Journal of Development Economics, 102617.

[3] Wright, N., & Arora, P. (2021). Grade Reporting and Student Performance. Education Economics, 30(4): 356–363.

[2] Wright, N., & Lee, L. (2021). Alcohol-Related Traffic Laws and Drunk-Driving Fatal Accidents. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 161: 106358.

[1] Wright, N. (2020). Perform Better, or Else: Academic Probation, Public Praise, and Students’ Decision-Making. Labour Economics, 62: 101773.

Working Papers

[1] Wright, N., Denteh, A., & Anderson, P. Teacher Quality and High School Performance: Evidence from a Math Specialist Intervention. Referee Rejected, Quarterly Journal of Economics.

[2] Wright, N. In the Hot Seat: During-Exam Temperature Exposure and Secondary Students’ Performance in Jamaica. Working Paper.

[3] Boothe, D., & Wright, N. From C- to F: The Unintended Consequences of Grading Policy Reform in Higher Education. Working Paper.

[4] Harris, A., Wright, N., & Stewart, A. The Impact of Crime Exposure on Academic Performance: Evidence from High School Students in Jamaica. Working Paper.

[5] Stewart, A., & Wright, N. Do State of Emergencies Help or Hurt? Evidence from Jamaica. Working Paper.

[6] Wright, N., Boothe, D., & Carter, A. Beyond the Cap and Gown: Degree Class and Employment Outcomes. Working Paper.

[7] Wright, N. Off-Campus, But On-Time: Student Housing and Academic Success. Working Paper.

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