IDB Young Economist Award Celebrates Excellence in Development Economics Research

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the winners of the IDB Young Economist Award, an accolade recognizing and celebrating outstanding research by recent PhD graduates with a keen focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pedro Miguel Casalvilca Silva, of Yale University, won first prize for his paper "Job Ladder Consequences of Employment Protection: Theory and Evidence from Peru." This groundbreaking study explores how firms and workers choose to supply and demand informal, temporary, and permanent jobs, and examines how workers transition between them.

Thiago Scarelli, of Paris School of Economics, won second prize for his innovative analysis of the timing of payments for ridesharing drivers in Brazil, while third prize went to Paula Spinola, of the University College London, for her insightful study on the effectiveness and health impacts from limiting the use of C-sections in Brazil. Santiago Hermo, of Brown University, and Carolina Tojal dos Santos, of the University of Michigan received honorary mentions for their exceptional contributions.

"By promoting exceptional research through this award, the Inter-American Development Bank wants to recognize the brightest emerging talent in economics while fostering an environment of innovation and excellence, advancing knowledge that positively impacts the development of our region, and inspiring a new generation of researchers," said Eric Parrado, Chief Economist and General Manager of the IDB Research Department.

The winners will be recognized during the 30 Years of Research Anniversary Conference scheduled for September 12-13 at IDB headquarters in Washington, DC. The conference will feature high-profile lectures, panel discussions, and conversations with academics, policymakers, and development practitioners.

The IDB Young Economist Award called on PhD candidates hailing from the institution's 48 member countries who were set to graduate from doctoral programs in 2024 to submit their work. A selection committee comprised of economists and researchers from the IDB reviewed a total of 48 entries. The committee evaluated each paper based on its originality, relevance, methodological rigor, and the relevance for public policy with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.