2025
Economist · Lisbon, Portugal
Henrique
Pita Barros.
Assistant Professor of Economics
ISEG, University of Lisbon PhD in Economics · Brown University (2024)
I study how migration, forced displacement and conflict shape human behaviour.
My research brings together development economics and political economy to understand how conflict, displacement and historical institutions shape social relations and behaviour. I design and lead field experiments, build local research teams and collect original data in conflict-ridden and hard-to-reach settings, particularly in Mozambique. My projects examine social integration, dialogue, financial resilience and public services, alongside research on the lasting effects of war in Portugal. I have also undertaken consulting work for UNU-WIDER. My research has been supported by UNU-WIDER, J-PAL, Innovations for Poverty Action, the International Growth Centre and other partners.
My research has been featured in the World Bank’s Development Impact blog, Voice of America and Portugal’s newspaper Expresso.
01 Research
My work explores how conflict and displacement reshape social ties, political attitudes and economic life.
Publications 02
2026
Short-lived persuasion from campaign rallies: Evidence from the 2016 U.S. presidential election
Read paper
Working papers 02
WP
Winning Hearts and Minds through Dialogue: Experimental Evidence from Mozambique’s Islamist Insurgency
Supported by IGC and J-PAL CVI / Governance Initiative.
Draft coming soon.
WP
The Legacy of Coercive Cotton Cultivation in Colonial Mozambique
Supported by UNU-WIDER and the UK Economic and Social Research Council.
Latest working paper version
Work in progress
Rebuilding the Social Cohesion of Return Migrants in Post-Conflict MozambiqueWriting stage
Data collected; first draft in preparation.
Support: IGC, UNU-WIDER, and J-PAL / IPA Displaced Livelihoods Initiative.
The Legacy of Colonial Resettlements in Mozambique: Evidence from AldeamentosWriting stage
Support: FLAD.
The Colonial Roots of Modern Conflict: The Case of MozambiqueWriting stage
Support: FLAD.
02 In the field
Research, rooted
in the field.
I design and lead field experiments in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, studying social integration and resilience amid conflict.
From research design to field implementation
Field experiments·Primary data collection·Community-based interventions
Current field projects
Mozambique & PortugalFinancial literacy
& resilience
FinLitMoz examines financial literacy and resilience in Cabo Delgado.
Project details
Full title
FinLitMoz – Financial Literacy and Resilience in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
With Sam Jones and Patrícia Justino.
Support UNU-WIDER / Inclusive Growth in Mozambique.
Peace dialogues
& inter-group contact
Building resilience against political violence through dialogue and contact in Maputo city.
Project details
Full title
Peace Dialogues and Inter-Group Contact to Build Resilience Against Political Violence
With Félix Mambo, Mark Treurniet and Maarten Voors.
Partner Tearfund.
Support J-PAL Crime and Violence Initiative; NWO.
Radio, education
& social cohesion
A large-scale radio-based educational intervention amid an active insurgency.
Project details
Full title
Can Public Service Provision Enhance Social Cohesion and Mitigate Conflict? Evidence from a Large-Scale Radio-Based Educational Intervention amid an Active Insurgency in Mozambique
With Patrícia Justino.
Partner Helpo ONGD.
Status Baseline collected; intervention being implemented.
Support UNU-WIDER / Inclusive Growth in Mozambique.
War veterans
& lasting legacies
Fieldwork on the socioeconomic and behavioural legacies of war among Portugal’s veterans.
Project details
Full title
The Legacy of Conflict on Socioeconomic Dynamics and Human Behavior: Evidence from Portugal’s Veterans of War
With Luciano Amaral, João Cancela, João Pereira dos Santos and José Tavares.
Partner Liga dos Combatentes.
Support Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT).
Status Ongoing data collection.
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Research support
Competitive research funding across projects where I serve as PI, co-PI or team member.
US$523,500Total competitive research funding
US$361,500As Principal Investigator
Approximate USD equivalents reported in my CV, updated September 2026 .
Research funders
- Inclusive Growth in Mozambique
Crime and Violence · Governance · Displaced Livelihoods
Joint IPA / J-PAL Displaced Livelihoods Initiative
International Growth Centre
Orlando Bravo Center for Economic Research · Population Studies and Training Center
Implementing partners
03 Teaching
Teaching in development economics and microeconomics.
Courses at undergraduate and doctoral level.
Topics in Development Economics
ISEG · Advanced undergraduate
Concepts and Theories of Development
ISEG · PhD · Module: Empirical Turn in Development Economics
Microeconomics II
ISEG · Undergraduate · Applied Mathematics / Economics
Microeconomics I
ISEG · Undergraduate · Applied Mathematics
Topics in Microeconomics Upcoming
ISEG · Advanced undergraduate · Applied Mathematics / Economics
Previous teaching experience
Brown University · Intermediate Macroeconomics, teaching assistant (2019).
Universidade Nova de Lisboa · Intermediate Microeconomics (2018), Industrial Organization (2016–2018), and Statistics for Business and Economics (2015–2017), teaching assistant.