about me

I am an Assistant Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia.

Previously, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton University (RPDE). I have a PhD from UC Berkeley and a BA from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia).

My research interests are in political economy, development economics and behavioral economics.

(CV) • miguel.ortiz@ubc.ca

working papers

Hate, Fear and Intergroup Conflict: Experimental Evidence from Nigeria
(July 2025)
• Winner of the Weiss Family Distinguished Paper at NEUDC 2023
• Covered in: VoxDev, Marginal Revolution

publications

Monopoly of Taxation Without a Monopoly of Violence: The Weak State’s Trade-Offs from Taxation
with Soeren Henn, Mastaki Mugaruka, Raul S. dela Sierra and David Q. Wu
(Review of Economic Studies, 2024)

work in progress

When Market Gains Fail to Break Segregation: The Role of Unwarranted Fear
with Eunice Atajiri (analysis stage)

Business Practices from Foreign Cultures: The Effects of Chinese and American Trainings on Ethiopian Workers
with Shibiru Ayalew and David Q. Wu (main experiment ongoing)

Paying for Justice: Evidence from Labor Courts in Mexico
with Christopher Blattman, Enrique Seira and Joyce Sadka (pilot ongoing)

Breaking the Bubble: Economic Elite Exposure to Marginalized Communities
with Christopher Blattman and Jose A. Guerra (pilot ongoing)