I recently completed my Ph.D. in the Security Studies Program in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida and am a former Minerva-Jennings Randolph Peace and Security Scholar at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). I will join the faculty at Centre College beginning August 2019 as a Visiting Assistant Professor in International Studies.
My dissertation research examines the determinants and dynamics of rebel groups' recruitment of child soldiers as well as the consequences for states that employ children in their national military or paramilitary units. In my research I utilize a mixed-methods approach including case-studies, semi-structured interviews, and statistical modeling.
In addition to my research on child soldiering and civilian victimization in conflict, my research investigates private military/security companies and civil war, terrorism and counterterrorism effectiveness, and civil-military relations/democratization. To date, my research has been published or is forthcoming in outlets such as African Security, Africa Spectrum, Civil Wars, Democratization, Small Wars & Insurgencies, Third World Quarterly, and the European Journal of International Relations.
I hold a BA (2008) in Political Science, a MPA with a concentration on public management (2010), a MA and Graduate Certificate in International Conflict Management and Resolution with a focus on International Security (2013) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security (2018) from the University of Central Florida.