I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University. My research, which to date has focused on Sub-Saharan Africa, examines the role of local and national elites in political development. I am especially interested in the impacts of inter- and intra-elite contestation on state capacity and performance, the political salience of collective identities, and societal wellbeing. I teach courses on comparative politics, African politics, international development, and research methods. 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Journal articles

2019. “Karamojan Politics: Extension of State Power and Formation of a Subordinate Political Elite in Northeastern Uganda.” Third World Quarterly. 40 (3): 558-577. 

2017. “Advancing the Study of Political Cleavages through Experimentation: Revisiting Regionalism and Redistributive Preferences in Canada,” with Adrienne Davidson, Matthew Lesch, Maxime Héroux-Legault, Tanya Whyte, Alesha Porisky, and Zain Asaf. Regional and Federal Studies. 27 (2): 103-125.

Manuscripts in preparation and submission

Book manuscript: Projection of State Power: State-making in the Dryland Periphery of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Journal articles:

“Electoral Mobilization of Hierarchically Layered Ethnic Identities: Evidence from Northern Kenya.”

“The Choice of Being Governed: Private and Public Goods, Repression, and State Incorporation.”

“The Politics of Extension of State Power in Karamoja.”

“The Local Drivers of Political Development: Explaining Subnational Variation in Government Capacity and Performance in Kenya.”

Other refereed publications

2017. “The Impact of In-kind Food Assistance on Pastoralist Livelihoods in Humanitarian Crises: Evidence Synthesis,” with Tyler O’Neill and Patricia Ayala. Oxford: Oxfam Great Britain.

2016. “The Impact of In-kind Food Assistance on Pastoralist Livelihoods in Humanitarian Crises: An Evidence Synthesis Protocol,” with Tyler O’Neill. Oxford: Oxfam Great Britain.

Non-refereed publications

2017. “Karamojan Politics: Creation and Cooptation of a New Political Elite.” Centre for Critical Development Studies Working Paper Series. Toronto: University of Toronto. 

2017. “Extension of State Power in Karamoja: The Objectives of the Ugandan State Managers in Karamoja.” Centre for Critical Development Studies Working Paper Series. Toronto: University of Toronto.

2012. “The Causes and Mechanisms of Karimojong Child Migration.” Geneva: International Organization for Migration.

2012. “Reintegration and Resettlement Experiences of Former Karimojong Child Migrants.” Geneva: International Organization for Migration.

2012. “Income Generating Activities and Savings Behaviour of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Karamoja.” Kampala: BRAC.

2011. “Governing the Karimojong: Tradition, Modernity and Power in Contemporary Karamoja.” Kampala: BRAC.

2011. “Even If I Have Land, Can I Eat It?: Perceptions of Poverty in Karamoja.” Kampala: BRAC.

Introduction to Comparative Politics; PLS 210 Political Science Research Methods. Click here to see the syllabi.