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.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

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

[2] 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Working Papers

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

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

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

[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.

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

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

[5] Wright, N., Akeem, C. Breaking the Language Barrier? Exam Fee Subsidies and Spanish Proficiency.

[6] Stewart, A. & Wright, N. Do State of Emergencies Help or Hurt: Evidence From Jamaica.

[7] Wright, N. & Boothe, D. Beyond the Cap and Gown: The Impact of Higher Degree Class on College Graduates Labor Market Outcomes.

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

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

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