Ignacio Ruelas
- Doctoral Candidate
- Research Areas: Public Finance and Budgeting, Fiscal Federalism
Additional Information
Bio
Ignacio Ruelas is a doctoral candidate originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. He later obtained a master’s in public policy from Universidad de Chile in Santiago. Ignacio has diverse experience, ranging from managing the public budget for the State Government of Jalisco in Mexico to assisting with legislative processes at the National Congress of Chile. He has also served as a consultant and research assistant to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC).
His research interests include fiscal decentralization in Latin American countries, public education policies, intergovernmental fiscal relations, fiscal rules, and comparative public finance. In 2021, Ignacio received an Honorable Mention in the Mexican National Award for Public Finance Research, an award organized by the Mexican Federal Congress. Currently, he is a student research assistant at the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR).
Education
M.A. in Public Policy (Highest Distinction, 2012), Universidad de Chile
Diploma in Public Policy, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
Diploma in Financial Macroeconomics, Universidad de Chile
B.A. in Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes
Publications
Ruelas Ávila, I. (2024). The effects of fiscal rules on Mexico’s municipalities: Looking at fiscal behavior changes. International Journal of Public Administration, 48(12), 799–816. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2024.2418302
Ruelas Ávila, I. (2024). [Review of the book Non-profit Organizations and Co-production: The Logics Shaping Professional and Citizen Collaboration, by C. McMullin]. Nonprofit Policy Forum, 15(3), 263–268.
Ruelas, I., Jimenez, J. P., & Letelier, L. (2023). Debt decisions in municipalities in the face of subnational fiscal rule. Gestión y Política Pública, 32(2), 97–129.
Ruelas, I., & Izquierdo, A. (2021). Fiscal fatigue, debt limits and fiscal space of the Mexican states governments. Gestión y Política Pública, 30(2), 29–65.
Schafer, J., & Ruelas, I. (2025). Connecting theory and practice in a public management course. In J. Schafer & B. McDonald (Eds.), Engaged Learning in the Public Service Classroom. Routledge.
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, UNO: 25FA PA8120-870 (2025): Analysis and Decision Making.
Guest Speaker (2024-25): Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, UNO PA 8330 Section 850 (2025): Seminar in Policy Analysis
Lecturer, Universidad de Chile (2021). Seminar in Fiscal Decentralization.
Lecturer, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (2019). Economics, Master’s in Civil Engineering program.
Honors and Awards
Additional Information
Bio
Ignacio Ruelas is a doctoral candidate originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics. He later obtained a master’s in public policy from Universidad de Chile in Santiago. Ignacio has diverse experience, ranging from managing the public budget for the State Government of Jalisco in Mexico to assisting with legislative processes at the National Congress of Chile. He has also served as a consultant and research assistant to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC).
His research interests include fiscal decentralization in Latin American countries, public education policies, intergovernmental fiscal relations, fiscal rules, and comparative public finance. In 2021, Ignacio received an Honorable Mention in the Mexican National Award for Public Finance Research, an award organized by the Mexican Federal Congress. Currently, he is a student research assistant at the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR).
Education
M.A. in Public Policy (Highest Distinction, 2012), Universidad de Chile
Diploma in Public Policy, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
Diploma in Financial Macroeconomics, Universidad de Chile
B.A. in Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes
Publications
Ruelas Ávila, I. (2024). The effects of fiscal rules on Mexico’s municipalities: Looking at fiscal behavior changes. International Journal of Public Administration, 48(12), 799–816. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2024.2418302
Ruelas Ávila, I. (2024). [Review of the book Non-profit Organizations and Co-production: The Logics Shaping Professional and Citizen Collaboration, by C. McMullin]. Nonprofit Policy Forum, 15(3), 263–268.
Ruelas, I., Jimenez, J. P., & Letelier, L. (2023). Debt decisions in municipalities in the face of subnational fiscal rule. Gestión y Política Pública, 32(2), 97–129.
Ruelas, I., & Izquierdo, A. (2021). Fiscal fatigue, debt limits and fiscal space of the Mexican states governments. Gestión y Política Pública, 30(2), 29–65.
Schafer, J., & Ruelas, I. (2025). Connecting theory and practice in a public management course. In J. Schafer & B. McDonald (Eds.), Engaged Learning in the Public Service Classroom. Routledge.
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, UNO: 25FA PA8120-870 (2025): Analysis and Decision Making.
Guest Speaker (2024-25): Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, UNO PA 8330 Section 850 (2025): Seminar in Policy Analysis
Lecturer, Universidad de Chile (2021). Seminar in Fiscal Decentralization.
Lecturer, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (2019). Economics, Master’s in Civil Engineering program.
Honors and Awards