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Maria Micaela Sviatschi
Assistant Professor of Economics, Princeton University
Maria Micaela Sviatschi is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Princeton University. Her main research interests are labour and development economics, with a focus on human capital, gender-violence and crime. One strand of her research explores how children start a criminal career in drug trafficking and gangs as well as the consequences of organized crime on economic development. Another strand of her research studies the role of gender-based violence on women’s education and labor force participation. She has collaborative research projects in Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, India, Mozambique and Jordan.
Recent work by Maria Micaela Sviatschi
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How police patrols reduced severe street harassment in India
Deploying frequent and unpredictable visible police patrols in the streets of Hyderabad, India, led to a 27% drop in severe harassment cases. Such data-driven public safety interventions can improve women’s safety, educational choices and labour forc...
Published 26.11.24
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Training teachers on gender-based violence helps keep girls safe in school
Can targeted interventions reduce school-based gender-based violence? Teacher and student training on gender-based violence in Mozambique leads to a reduction in teacher-led violence and greater school retention for girls.
Published 25.11.24
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Rebel governance and development in El Salvador
How does rebel governance affect long-term development?
Published 02.05.23
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The impact of US deportation policy on gang activity in El Salvador
Deportation policies can inadvertently disseminate ideas and criminal networks between countries, unintentionally increasing migration back to the US
Published 05.09.22
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How organised crime can affect economic development: Evidence from El Salvador
For individuals living in El Salvador’s gang territories, restrictions on freedom of movement significantly limit one’s labour market options
Published 30.10.20
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Making a Narco: Childhood exposure to illegal labour markets and criminal life paths
Exposure to illegal labour markets in childhood leads to the formation of industry-specific human capital, putting children on a criminal life path
Published 05.03.19