Alvaro La Parra-Perez

Alvaro La Parra-Perez serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Weber State University's Goddard School of Business & Economics, specializing in the intersection of politics and economics within historical contexts. His academic foundation includes advanced degrees from European institutions and current teaching responsibilities spanning microeconomic theory to economic history.

Educational background:

• PhD in Economics, University of Maryland, 2014
• MA in Economics, University of Valencia, Spain, 2008
• BA in Economics, University of Valencia, Spain, 2007
• BA in Economics, University of Nantes, France, 2006

His research program investigates institutional formation and political-economic interactions, with emphasis on Spain's Second Republic period (1931-1939), exploring how military factions influenced democratic stability and economic policymaking during pre-civil war tensions. This work bridges historical analysis with contemporary institutional theory.

Publication trends reveal consistent focus on Spanish political economy, examining military financing, institutional collapse, and democratic fragility through archival economic data. His scholarship contributes methodological innovations in applying institutional economics to historical conflict analysis.

Major recognitions include:

• 2014 Best Paper Award at the European School of New Institutional Economics for research on military factions
• 2020 Earl J. Hamilton Prize for seminal work on army political economy during Spain's Second Republic
• 2022 Presidential Teaching Excellence Award at Weber State University

Dr. La Parra-Perez mentors students through courses including Economic History of the United States and History of Economic Thought, while maintaining active research collaborations. His community engagement includes soccer fandom as both player and devoted FC Barcelona supporter.