Uniting
Research and Policy

Nolan Villasmil is an MPP student at the Harris School of Public Policy. His interests include climate, conflict, international development, and their intersection. At Harris, Nolan is seeking to expand his analytical skills and leverage evidence for effective institutional reform and policy evaluation.

From 2018 to 2023, Nolan worked at the British Embassy in Caracas leading on the management of the UK’s bilateral programme on economics, climate and energy in Venezuela. In that capacity, he collaborated on projects ranging from strengthening sustainable livelihoods to mapping options for supporting the energy transition. Nolan also provided macro-economic analysis throughout the height of Venezuela’s crisis. With the launch of the humanitarian response, he served as the Embassy’s technical focal point, reporting on the drivers of need and informing the UK’s response on health, nutrition and protection in Venezuela and Latin America & the Caribbean.

During his master’s studies, Nolan pursued a specialization in data analytics and reinforced his quantitative expertise. Nolan also gained exposure to research on resilience to fragility, conflict and violence (FCV). In combining this multidisciplinary skillset, Nolan has worked with AECOM, the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Nolan holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the Central University of Venezuela.