Francisco Garfias studies the political economy of development, with a focus on state capacity, taxation, and social conflict in Latin America. His research examines why some states develop the ability to tax and implement policies, while others remain unable to raise the minimum required to carry out even the most basic state functions. 

An assistant professor of political science at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, Garfias teaches courses including Economic Policy in Latin America, Democracy in Latin America and Quantitative Methods II.