I am an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Emory University. I received my PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2006.

I teach a range of courses on international conflict resolution, international security and research methodology. I have taught undergraduate courses on international conflict resolution, the United Nations, nuclear weapons and third-party conflict management. At the graduate level, I have taught seminars on international security, longitudinal data analysis and the linear model.

On the research front, I have two ongoing interests. First and foremost, I am interested in the political consequences and causes of third-party involvement in peace processes. My book manuscript (The Mediation Dilemma) explores how third-party conflict management frequently does well in securing short-term peace but also can contribute to greater instability in the long run. Separately, some of my work addresses other forms of third-party involvement, such as peacekeeping. Related, I am interested in better understanding the role of the United Nations as a conflict manager and preventer of international conflict. In an ongoing data project, I am coding information on every UN Security Council resolution from 1946 to 2008.

My research also empirically examines the effects of nuclear-weapons proliferation on conflict behavior. The goal is to consider why states pursue nuclear weapons, what the consequences are when they acquire the weapons, and what might be done to strengthen the non-proliferation regime.

Please follow the links above to find more information about my courses and research.