XClose

UCL Institute of the Americas

Home
Menu

Carlos Cárdenas Escutia

Righting Historical Wrongs: Transforming Household Workers' Rights in Mexico


Supervisors:

Professor Maxine Molyneux and Dr Néstor Castañeda

My research examines legal reform in the paid domestic work sector in Mexico. My work analyses the socio-political dynamics that led to significant policy shifts over the last two decades. Through a mixed-methods approach, my thesis traces the evolution of legal reform via the judiciary and legislature. My research highlights the voices and agency of household workers´ organisations, and examines the interplay between broader political transformations, coalition building, and the impact of international advocacy efforts.

My thesis develops an analytic framework, proposes a typology of organisations, and provides a comprehensive account of the mechanisms driving favourable policy outcomes for historically marginalised groups. It offers valuable insights that not only contribute to academic discourse but also hold practical implications for policymakers, activists, and organisations striving to advance labour rights and social justice in the consultancy and non-profit sectors.

Awards | Grants | Scholarships 

  • 2019-2023: Awarded the UCL-CONACYT Graduate Fellowship.
  • 2019: Grantee of the Bank of Mexico’s Fund for the Development of Human Resources (FIDERH).
  • 2017-2018: Recipient of the Mexican High-level Training Programme for the Federal Public Administration Graduate Fellowship (CONACYT-PFAN).

Teaching

AMER0039: Introduction to Politics (PGTA 2020-24)