Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra

Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra’s research focus areas include development economics, political economy, and conflict. He conducts most of his research in areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the central state is especially weak. There, he looks at the organization of society, the economics and psychology of armed groups, the emergence of state functions, and the economics of organized corruption working closely with these actors, while also gathering detailed data for statistical analysis.

In addition, he is a faculty affiliate of The Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts, a research fellow at the Center for Effective Global Action, the International Growth Centre, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, the National Bureau of Economic Research and a distinguished fellow at the Center for Economic Studies ifo (CESifo) – Applied Microeconomics.

He co-founded Marakuja Kivu Research, focused on collecting data in weak state areas while providing career enhancing opportunities to young Congolese individuals and ex-combatants. His work is part of the Congo Calling documentary, which was nominated in 2019 for the best German documentary