Rita Schmutz

I hold a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Lausanne, where my research focused on how education and early childhood policies influence social inequality. My expertise lies in quantitative methods, with a particular focus on causal inference and computational approaches.

My research demonstrates how policy evaluation exposes critical gaps between design and implementation, revealing why policies often fail to achieve their intended impact. I demonstrate that early childhood education can serve as a powerful equalizer, but that variations in policy implementation significantly influence outcomes. Likewise, compulsory education policies can either reduce or exacerbate inequalities, depending on how they are structured and implemented. My goal is to turn these insights into evidence-based policymaking that closes, rather than widens, inequality gaps.

Alongside my academic work, I bring extensive applied experience in policy management and evaluation. I have worked in the government of Brazil and Switzerland, as well as with the United Nations, where I monitored and evaluated policies across various fields. Currently, I serve in the Canton of Neuchâtel (Switzerland), where I manage higher education policy. In this role, I participate not only in cantonal implementation but also in intercantonal and federal-level discussions, ensuring that regional perspectives are integrated into national education policy debates.

This dual perspective, combining rigorous academic research with practical policy experience, shapes my commitment to designing and implementing policies that foster social equity and opportunity for all.