The latest issue of Genocide Studies and Prevention features a special collection on technology and genocide/atrocity prevention. I had the good fortune of being asked to write the closing article, a short synthesis of the fascinating collection of articles covering a range of issues from technical challenges to legal and ethical considerations. It's a solid … Continue reading Genocide Studies and Prevention special issue on tech and atrocity prevention
Politics
Stuff that’s happening in politics, discourse, social media and technology.
Development, Economic Aid, and Forced Displacement: An ISA Panel
A few colleagues and I are organizing a panel for next year's International Studies Association meeting in San Francisco on forced displacement, state fragility and international development. We have a few slots open for those who may have a paper that fits the theme - if you have something you'd like to present I'd love … Continue reading Development, Economic Aid, and Forced Displacement: An ISA Panel
Going From Science March to Political Impact
I was at the Bonn/Köln iteration of the March for Science and it was a good time. But as I watched the marches around the world, especially in the U.S., my thoughts turned to how to create further action. Large turnout in cities populated predominantly by people who already value science and empirically-based policy making can … Continue reading Going From Science March to Political Impact
Education and National Strength: A good take
Anthony Eames, a doctoral candidate in history at Georgetown University, wrote a superb defense of the role of education in supporting strategic strength and the importance of government investment in that enterprise. As an academic who also works in policy, I've always believed that government investment in education (especially the humanities) leads to a stronger … Continue reading Education and National Strength: A good take
New Publication! “PeaceTech: The Liminal Spaces of Digital Technology in Peacebuilding”
I'm excited to share a new collection of essays published in International Studies Perspectives that I produced with Pamina Firchow, Roger Mac Ginty, and Atalia Omer. Our essays cover a range of issues in using technology for peacebuilding and stabilization, and add to the growing body of work being done on how digital technology is … Continue reading New Publication! “PeaceTech: The Liminal Spaces of Digital Technology in Peacebuilding”
Processing the Election
After an absolutely searing U.S. election season, Donald Trump has won. This result has defied everything we thought we knew in political science, from how parties manage themselves and their candidates to how likely voters will make selections. It also laid bare things that we're going to have to figure out as Americans. I'll just … Continue reading Processing the Election
My dissertation defense: Video version
Dissertation Defended!
Yesterday I successfully defended my dissertation! It was very exciting, after five years' worth of work, to see the project come together so well. Many thanks go to my committee, Dr. Thomas E. Flores, Dr. Agnieszka Paczynska and Dr. Todd LaPorte (who was remote, so missed the picture) - all three played a huge role … Continue reading Dissertation Defended!
Collective (Digital) Action During a Coup
The events in Turkey last night were nothing short of astounding - the world watched a NATO country, in which all was normal as late as happy hour, descend into political chaos as a coup was attempted and by morning has returned to a tenuous balance with President Erdoğan still (apparently) in charge. While the … Continue reading Collective (Digital) Action During a Coup
Where Are the Legislators (Who Ostensibly Pay for Data)?
I watched from a distance on Twitter as the World Bank hosted its annual data event. I would love to have attended - the participants were a pretty amazing collection of economists, data professionals and academics. This tweet seemed to resonate with a theme I've been focused on the last week or so: There is … Continue reading Where Are the Legislators (Who Ostensibly Pay for Data)?
