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136    <h1 class="post-title">Research</h1>
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140  <article class="post-content Research clearfix">
141    <p>My research focuses on the economics of education, human capital development, and financial inclusion, with a regional focus on Colombia. I use quasi-experimental and experimental methods to evaluate the impact of infrastructure, technology, and policy interventions.</p>
142
143<hr />
144
145<h2 id="publications">Publications</h2>
146
147<div style="margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 8px;">
148
149<p><strong>Polanco-Jimenez, J. (2025).</strong><br />
150Road to the Future: Identifying Impacts of Roads on Education in Colombia.<br />
151<i>International Journal of Educational Development</i>, 114, 103173.<br />
152<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103339">DOI</a></p>
153
154<details>
155  <summary><strong>Abstract</strong></summary>
156  <p>This study examines the impact of Colombia's road concession program on educational outcomes in public schools. Using a staggered difference-in-differences approach, I find that road improvements lead to a significant increase of 0.169 standard deviations in math scores, with the full effect materializing after project completion. Reading scores also show a positive, though less pronounced, trend. These findings are robust to various checks, including alternative estimators and control groups. Additionally, I observe reduced child labor participation and increased higher education pursuit following road improvements. This evidence suggests that Public-Private Partnerships-driven road concession programs can be effective tools for promoting human capital development in developing countries and that policymakers should consider the long-term educational benefits when evaluating infrastru

156cture investments.</p>
157</details>
158
159<figure>
160  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/polanco-jaime/polanco-jaime.github.io/main/assets/docs/Road%20to%20the%20Future.png" width="100%" />
161</figure>
162
163</div>
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165<div style="margin-bottom: 30px; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ddd; border-radius: 8px;">
166
167<p><strong>Polanco-Jimenez, J., &amp; De Witte, K. (2025).</strong><br />
168Factors Influencing STEM Participation and Effective Intervention Strategies.<br />
169<i>NESET Report</i>, Luxembourg Publication Office of the European Union.<br />
170<a href="https://doi.org/10.2766/4854833">DOI: 10.2766/4854833</a></p>
171
172<details>
173  <summary><strong>Summary</strong></summary>
174  <p>
175  Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are increasingly recognised as critical drivers of economic competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth in the European Union (EU). A robust STEM workforce is essential to address key societal challenges, including labour shortages, skill gaps, achieving the goals of the European Green Deal, and facilitating the digital transition. Investments in STEM education and careers are therefore crucial for securing the EU's future prosperity and global leadership. This report provides evidence-based insights to guide EU policies aimed at increasing participation in STEM, drawing on international research with a focus on the EU context. It identifies key factors influencing decisions to pursue STEM education across individual, social, and institutional levels.
176  </p>
177</details>
178
179<details>
180  <summary><strong>View publication</strong></summary>
181  <p>
182    <a href="https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2fbac4e5-bb8c-11f0-b37f-01aa75ed71a1" target="_blank">
183    Open publication
184    </a>
185  </p>
186</details>
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188</div>
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190<hr />
191
192<h2 id="working-papers">Working Papers</h2>
193
194<h3 id="economics-of-education-and-development">Economics of Education and Development</h3>
195
196<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #0056b3;">
197<p><strong>The Tailoring Premium: How AI Design Unlocks Student Engagement and Learning</strong> (Job Market Paper)<br />
198<em>with Kristof De Witte</em> · Under Peer-Review at <em>Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization</em><br />
199<a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6110192">[PDF]</a> · <a href="/assets/docs/Job_Market_Paper.pdf">[Working Paper]</a></p>
200</div>
201
202<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #0056b3;">
203<p><strong>Does Coeducation Close the STEM Gap? Evidence from a Single-Sex Schooling Transition in Colombia</strong><br />
204<em>with Kristof De Witte &amp; Gloria L. Bernal</em> · Under Peer-Review at <em>Journal of Development Economics</em><br />
205<a href="/assets/docs/Gender_Composition_in_Classrooms.pdf">[PDF]</a></p>
206</div>
207
208<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #0056b3;">
209<p><strong>Black Gold and Dull Minds: The Impact of Oil Exploration Announcements on Education in Colombia</strong><br />
210<em>with Christian Posso</em><br />
211<a href="/assets/docs/Black_Gold_and_Dull_Minds__HEA_on_Education.pdf">[PDF]</a></p>
212</div>
213
214<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #0056b3;">
215<p><strong>Local Oil Shocks and Student Trajectories: Evidence from Colombian Post-Secondary Education Choices</strong><br />
216<em>with Karen Castaneda</em><br />
217<a href="/assets/docs/Moving_into_Greener_Jobs.pdf">[PDF]</a></p>
218</div>
219
220<h3 id="financial-literacy-and-small-business-development">Financial Literacy and Small Business Development</h3>
221
222<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #0056b3;">
223<p><strong>Financial Literacy and Business Success: Evidence from an RCT in Colombia</strong><br />
224<em>with Johan Lozano</em><br />
225<a href="/assets/docs/Financial_Literacy_s_on_Mipymes.pdf">[PDF]</a></p>
226</div>
227
228<hr />
229
230<h2 id="rct-registrations--ongoing-projects">RCT Registrations &amp; Ongoing Projects</h2>
231
232<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #28a745;">
233<p><strong>Evaluating an AI-Powered Research Development Tool for Academic Productivity and Well-being</strong><br />
234<em>with Almudena Sevilla</em> · AEA RCT Registry, January 2026<br />
235<a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.17749-2.0">[Registry]</a></p>
236</div>
237
238<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #28a745;">
239<p><strong>A Randomized Controlled Trial of an AI-Based Guidance Tool for Post-Secondary Planning</strong><br />
240<em>with Kristof De Witte</em> · AEA RCT Registry, 2025<br />
241<a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.17212-1.1">[Registry]</a></p>
242</div>
243
244<div style="margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 10px 15px; border-left: 3px solid #28a745;">
245<p><strong>The Tailoring Premium: How AI Design Unlocks Student Engagement and Learning</strong><br />
246<em>with Kristof De Witte</em> · AEA RCT Registry, 2024<br />
247<a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.15266-1.1">[Registry]</a></p>
248</div>
249
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