I am currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Hidden Costs of Security Project, affiliated with the School of International Service at American University. I recently attained my Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, and my research is centered around gender, conflict, and international institutions. My ongoing research projects encompass a broad spectrum, including the examination of how states' commitments to the UN Treaty CEDAW impact women's rights over time, the relationship between rebel commitments to human rights and violence against civilians, with a particular focus on sexual violence, the influence of natural disasters on women's political trust in post-disaster countries, and the ways in which different peace agreements following civil wars can affect the duration of peace and contribute to a sense of healing among citizens. In essence, my curiosity lies in understanding how gender dynamics both shape and are shaped by institutions, and how these institutions, in turn, impact outcomes for women. I am committed to contributing to the existing body of knowledge by engaging deeply with feminist literature and institutional design, aiming to formulate solutions that address challenges faced by women.
Throughout my tenure as a doctoral student and candidate at Iowa, I received several prestigious fellowships, including the Summer Research Fellowship and the Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship, both granted by the University of Iowa Graduate College. Recognitions also came in the form of awards, notably the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, which acknowledged my exceptional work in instructing my class, International Conflict. My academic contributions were further highlighted by the Lynne Rienner Award for the Best Paper Presented by a Graduate Student at the International Studies Association Midwest Annual Conference in the Fall of 2022. The winning paper, titled "Women's Support Shaken: A Study of Political Trust After Natural Disasters," garnered this significant accolade.
In addition to my scholarly achievements, I actively participated in various capacities within the university community. I served as a Graduate Representative on the Graduate Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, fulfilling a role dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. As the Communications Officer for the Council on Women's Status at the University of Iowa, I contributed to advancing gender-related initiatives. Furthermore, I took on the responsibility of a Grant Reviewer for the Graduate Professional Student Government, actively engaging in the evaluation of grant proposals. I also held significant positions such as the Graduate Association of Political Scientists President and the Graduate Student Senator for Political Science during the first few years in the Political Science department.
Education
Ph.D., University of Iowa, 2023
B.A., University of Kentucky, 2017
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Throughout my tenure as a doctoral student and candidate at Iowa, I received several prestigious fellowships, including the Summer Research Fellowship and the Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship, both granted by the University of Iowa Graduate College. Recognitions also came in the form of awards, notably the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, which acknowledged my exceptional work in instructing my class, International Conflict. My academic contributions were further highlighted by the Lynne Rienner Award for the Best Paper Presented by a Graduate Student at the International Studies Association Midwest Annual Conference in the Fall of 2022. The winning paper, titled "Women's Support Shaken: A Study of Political Trust After Natural Disasters," garnered this significant accolade.
In addition to my scholarly achievements, I actively participated in various capacities within the university community. I served as a Graduate Representative on the Graduate Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, fulfilling a role dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. As the Communications Officer for the Council on Women's Status at the University of Iowa, I contributed to advancing gender-related initiatives. Furthermore, I took on the responsibility of a Grant Reviewer for the Graduate Professional Student Government, actively engaging in the evaluation of grant proposals. I also held significant positions such as the Graduate Association of Political Scientists President and the Graduate Student Senator for Political Science during the first few years in the Political Science department.
Education
Ph.D., University of Iowa, 2023
- Graduate Certificate in Gender Women's and Sexuality Studies, May 2021
B.A., University of Kentucky, 2017
- Minors: International Relations, Gender Women's Studies
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