Camila Morales

Camila Morales is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), affiliated with the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. She also serves as Research Director of the Texas Schools Project and the UT Dallas Education Research Center. Her research focuses on immigration policy impacts, educational interventions for immigrant/refugee students, and English Learner outcomes. Morales holds a PhD in Economics from Georgia State University, where she collaborated with the Metro Atlanta Policy Lab for Education.

Education Background:

• PhD in Economics, Georgia State University (2020)
• Bachelor of Science in Economics, Georgia State University (2013)

Research Interests: Economics of Education, Immigration Economics, Labor Economics
Her work examines how immigration policies affect labor markets and how school programs like dual-language immersion and newcomer initiatives influence academic success. Recent studies explore college accessibility disparities and the effects of refugee integration on peer achievement.

Key Publications Trends: Over 10 recent articles (2020–2024) focus on EL policy structures, mixed-status family labor dynamics, and higher education deserts. Her 2024 work addresses college proximity impacts and EL identification challenges in community colleges.

Awards include the 2021 Jean Flanigan Dissertation Award (Honorable Mention) and 2020 New Scholar Award from the Association for Education Finance and Policy. She is a Faculty Affiliate at Georgia Policy Labs and previously served as a Visiting Scholar at Northwestern University’s E4 Center.

Professional Roles:

• Research Director, Texas Schools Project (2023–Present)
• Faculty Affiliate, Georgia Policy Labs (2020–Present)
• Early Career Visiting Scholar, Northwestern University (2022–2024)

Her research lab focuses on bridging education policy and economic outcomes, with active projects on immigration enforcement effects and dual-language program efficacy.