Rita Schmutz

I hold a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Lausanne. My research focuses on how education policies shape inequality across the life course, using quantitative and computational methods to identify when and why policies succeed or fail to promote equity. I combine causal inference, large-scale data analysis, and comparative approaches to uncover the mechanisms through which institutional design and policy implementation affect educational and social outcomes.

Building on this foundation, my current work expands to examine how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital media, interact with existing inequalities in access to knowledge and learning opportunities. This perspective connects long-standing questions about education and social stratification to the new realities of the digital age.

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.