Assistant Professor of Economics
Bezares Calderon’s research focuses on understanding the impact of institutions and policies on economic development in resource-constrained areas. She has engaged in field research while working with the World Bank on rural development and the effects of aspirations on poverty and program uptake in Senegal and the effects of decentralization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bezares Calderon seeks to bring economics and politics together to answer crucial questions and provide sound empirical evidence that facilitates the implementation of adequate policies in the developing world.
At Whittier, Bezares Calderon will teach courses such as political economy of development, comparative economic systems, macroeconomics, and a JanTerm course called Unthinking Migration.
Bezarez earned her Ph.D. in economics and politics at Claremont Graduate University. She holds master’s degrees in economics and international studies, respectively, from Claremont Graduate University and from the University of Montréal in Canada. Bezares Calderon completed bachelor’s degree in nternational business at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico.
More about Alma:
- I quite enjoy learning languages. I believe that they give you a wonderful opportunity to learn more about other places and cultures, and you get access to more sources of knowledge. So far, I speak Spanish, English, French and Portuguese (this one is a little bit rusty as I don’t practice it very often). I am currently learning German.
- I have worked in the private sector, in the government and, now, in academia. I have also done paid internships in international organizations (the World Bank) and in research institutes (the Wilson Center). My first job was as an enumerator, and as a salesperson in a jewelry store.
- I love baking 🥐. I use it to relax, although sometimes I end up more tense when something does not turn out the way I like.
- I believe elephants are the coolest animal on the planet (In a photo finish, dogs are just right behind). But I've never been lucky enough to see one in its natural habitat.