Rethinking Latin America’s Development: History and Economic Policy Perspectives

Call for Applications

Summer School: Summer School “Rethinking Development: Foundations and Public Policies for Economic, Social, and Environmental Transformation”

October 6 – October 17, 2025 | UAM-Xochimilco, Mexico City | In English and Spanish

We are pleased to invite applications for the 2025 edition of the Summer School “Rethinking Development: Foundations and Public Policies for Economic, Social, and Environmental Transformation” , jointly organized by the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) and UAM-Xochimilco, in collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Pisa), the Institute for Social Research (IIS, UNAM), and with the support of Open Society and the Young Scholars Initiative.

Building on the success of last year’s YSI-backed seminar, this two-week program offers an immersive learning and research environment for master’s and doctoral students, both in-person and online. The summer school targets young scholars working in economics, development studies, political economy, economic history, public policy, sociology, and related disciplines, aiming to equip them with the tools to analyze and respond to Latin America’s development challenges in an increasingly complex global context.

Participants will engage with both theoretical foundations and policy-oriented debates structured around four interrelated thematic pillars:

(A) Historical Foundations and Structural Challenges

From long-run development patterns and institutional legacies to the contemporary transformations reshaping the global economy, this pillar explores the historical and structural roots of Latin America’s development trajectories.

(B) Growth, Productivity, and External Constraints

This module examines the region’s persistent macroeconomic challenges—such as external dependency, low investment, and financial instability—through lenses including structuralist theory, evolutionary economics, and agent-based modeling.

(C) Social Dynamics of Poverty, Distribution, and Informality

With a focus on inequality, informality, and exclusion, this pillar addresses the design of macro-social policies aimed at fostering inclusion, redistributive justice, and social cohesion in the face of persistent disparities.

(D) Industrial Change, Technological Capability, and Adaptation to the Global Economy

This section explores strategies for industrial upgrading, export diversification, technological learning, and integration into global value chains, emphasizing the tools and policies needed to reposition Latin America in a changing world economy.

Format:

• Morning sessions: Theoretical masterclasses led by leading scholars.
• Afternoon sessions: Empirical workshops, economic policy forums, and thematic group work.

Languages: The activities will be conducted in both English and Spanish, and working knowledge of both languages is required for full participation and engagement.

Key offerings:

• Learn from world-class scholars such as Mario Cimoli, Giovanni Dosi, Wilson Peres, Gabriel Porcile, Ariel Dvoskin and Andrea Roventini.
• Partial financial support may be granted for transportation, accommodation, and meals in Mexico City.
• Access conceptual and methodological training in evolutionary economics, agent-based modeling, and policy evaluation tailored to Latin American realities.
• Engage in collaborative article and policy brief development for academic publication and policy audiences.
• Join a vibrant international community of scholars committed to addressing the region’s structural constraints and development challenges.

Who can apply:

• Graduate students (Master’s or PhD level) and early-career researchers.

We especially welcome:

• Doctoral candidates with more than 75% progress on their dissertations.
• Young doctors in the early stages of their academic careers.

Application Process
Application Deadline: July 30, 2025

Required documents must be submitted through the Summer School’s registration platform. Required documents are:

• Updated curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages)

• Motivation letter (maximum 700 words) explaining the relevance of the Summer School for your research

• Letter of support from a professor or thesis advisor

Incomplete applications or those submitted after July 30 will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

• Thematic relevance and academic quality of the ongoing research

• Disciplinary, institutional, and geographic diversity

• Gender balance and representation of underrepresented groups

• Priority will be given to applicants with proven knowledge of both English and Spanish, and with proficiency in statistical and econometric analysis tools such as R, Stata, Excel, or equivalent

Notification of Results
The results will be announced on the website of the Department of Economic Production at UAM-Xochimilco. Selected participants will also be notified via email.

Inquiries and Additional Information
For questions or further information, interested applicants may contact: latam@youngscholarsinitiative.org

Notes:

• This event will be held in a hybrid format: a limited number of participants will be accepted to attend online, while others will participate in person.
• To apply for funding, please use the same application form as for general admission. The amount of financial support will be communicated after participants are selected.
• Documents may be submitted in either English or Spanish.