PhD Candidate in Security Studies and Minerva-USIP Peace and Security Scholar, University of Central Florida
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Security Studies Program in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Florida and a 2018-2019 Minerva-Jennings Randolph Peace and Security Scholar at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). I successfully defended my dissertation in May 2019 and 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 interests include 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, and Third World Quarterly.
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.
Aug 09, 2024 19:21 pm UTC| Business
While Russias army is bogged down in Ukraine, its mercenaries are faring no better in Africa. In late July 2024, mercenaries from the the Wagner Group, a Moscow-aligned private military company, accompanied the Malian...