Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center

Key Research Areas

Research

The primary goal of the Texas-Mexico Center is to conduct policy-relevant, action-oriented research on the dynamic relationship between Texas and Mexico. Specific research programs focus on our five key areas:

Border Issues

Analyzing migration flows, cross-border security, and the social integration of the binational region.

Energy

Exploring the integration of North American energy markets and sustainable infrastructure development.

Trade & Economy

Investigating USMCA impacts, nearshoring trends, and the strategic trade partnership between Texas and Mexico.

Human Capital

Focusing on education, labor force development, and talent mobility across the border.

Trade & Investment

Analyzing foreign direct investment trends and the legal frameworks that protect and stimulate capital flow between regions.

Our Research

Findings will be disseminated through academic publications, reports, and actionable white papers. Our hope is that the research we fund will help to shape the growing relationship between Texas and Mexico, and U.S.-Mexico and stimulate economic dialogue and integration between regions (states) in Mexico and the U.S. Growing interdependence between the U.S. and Mexico are already redefining political and economic dynamics in the region.

Our grant funds are earmarked for interdisciplinary research grants, allowing scholars from SMU and Mexico to submit proposals for joint projects to study and publish policy papers in our key areas of focus.