José-Antonio Espín-Sánchez

I am an Associate Professor (on term) of Economics at Yale University. My research uses historical data to understand fundamental economic questions. My work on Spanish water markets shows how traditional institutions can outperform markets when communities face financial constraints. I examined centuries of data to study inequality and social mobility in pre-industrial societies, revealing how local institutions affected economic opportunities across generations. My research on transatlantic migration explores how economic shocks and social networks shaped migration patterns between Spain and Latin America, from 1492 until today. My work combines economic theory with rich historical evidence, offering insights to better understand resource allocation, inequality, and economic development.