Fieldwork
I am a PhD Candidate in Political Science at the University of Missouri and currently (Fall 2018) a visiting researcher at the LSE. My research examines how autocratic leaders maintain and lose power. I have further research interests in democratization, election manipulation, and peacekeeping. I use qualitative and quantitative methods including spatial econometrics. My dissertation examines the causes of purges in dictatorships.
My work has been published or is forthcoming in journals including Party Politics, Democratization, Research & Politics, and Africa Spectrum.
PhD in Political Science, 2020
University of Missouri
MA in Intelligence and International Security, 2013
King's College London
BSc in Politics, 2010
Bristol University
“Rethinking Democratic Diffusion: The Importance of Regime Type Over Geography” (with Sheena Greitens).
Invited to revise and resubmit at ‘Comparative Political Studies.’
“Repression Technology: How Internet Access Worsens Human Rights in Autocracies.”
“Political Dominance and Sub-National Election Violence in Africa” (with Michael Wahman).
“Does Peacekeeping Lead to Peaceful Elections? UN Peacekeeping and Election Violence” (with Bryce Reeder).
“Playing to Win: How Expected Effectiveness Influences United Nations Members’ Peacekeeper Contributions” (with Michael Hendricks).
“Explaining Local-Level Effectiveness: A Non-Stationary Analysis of the UN Peacekeeping Operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (with Michael Hendricks and Bryce Reeder).
“The Benefits of a Long Distance Relationship: Why States Choose Far-Flung Alliance Partners.”
Teaching Instructor
PS2700 - Comparative Political Systems, Spring 2019.
Lab Instructor
IPSA-USP: Basics of Spatial Interdependence in Theory and Practice, Spring 2018.
Teaching evaluation.
PS3000 - Introduction to Political Research, Fall 2017.
PS2700 - Comparative Political Systems, Fall 2016.
Teaching Assistant
PS4700 - America’s Wars in Asia, Spring 2017.
PS4770 - Comparative Political Behavior, Spring 2016.
PS1100 - American Government, Fall 2015.
“North Korea is Marching with South Korea at the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Does This Mean a Diplomatic Thaw is Coming?” Washington Post, February 9, 2018.
“Will U.N. sanctions stop North Korean missile tests? Don’t count on it.” Washington Post, August 9, 2017.