Getting a PhD without wanting to be a professor: reflections on a fun but sometimes awkward career path

I've had a number of masters students and junior colleagues ask recently about the idea of doing a PhD without the explicit aim of going into the academy and becoming a professor. I've gotten the question "how and why did you do this?" enough times in the last few months that I thought it'd be … Continue reading Getting a PhD without wanting to be a professor: reflections on a fun but sometimes awkward career path

Workshop call for papers: Forced Migration Processes: Trends, Concepts and Patterns

My colleague Constantin Ruhe and I are organizing a workshop June 25-26 at the German Development Institute on forced migration. We'll be hosting it at the Institute's headquarters in Bonn, Germany, and as a first step in organizing we've put out a call for papers and posters. The scope of the workshop will go beyond … Continue reading Workshop call for papers: Forced Migration Processes: Trends, Concepts and Patterns

2017 Wrap Up: Lots of writing, and great co-authors

2017 has been a good year for work in terms of academic, policy, and editorial writing. A lot of my writing is co-authored; I'm lucky to get to work with outstanding colleagues! Now for the recap: Academic writing The year started off with the publication of a collaborative effort between Pamina Firchow, Roger Mac Ginty, … Continue reading 2017 Wrap Up: Lots of writing, and great co-authors

Mobile Phones and Conflict Prevention: A recent interview

I was recently interviewed on my experience with, and research on, how mobile phones support conflict prevention as part of the launch of George Washington University's Media and Peacebuilding Project. Along with my interview, they interviewed some really excellent people from across the research and practice spaces. I'm really excited to see what comes out … Continue reading Mobile Phones and Conflict Prevention: A recent interview

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

Joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (German Institute for Development Policy) in Bonn, Germany! I'll be working in their Governance, Statehood, and Security group, doing research and providing policy advice on forced displacement in fragile and conflict affected countries. I'm excited to have the opportunity to put my skills … Continue reading Joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik!