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I research, write, and teach about political science. Based in Vancouver, I study a variety of subjects related to the fields of international affairs, comparative politics, and Canadian politics. Particular areas of interest include civil conflict, state/society relations, democratic institutions, and civic literacy in contemporary political contexts. A common theme in much of my work is the role of institutions in enabling (and constraining) effective decision-making in various contexts.

I’m also interested in how, when and why underdogs sometimes come out on top.

I teach politics at institutions around the lower mainland. Prior to that, I held a SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.

My PhD in Political Science is from the University of British Columbia. My dissertation examined contentious politics in Bolivia, considering why the long-running conflict in the Chapare region of the country took the form it did—highly contentious, and yet non-violent.

Beyond research, I comment on a range of issues in local, regional, national, and international media. Beyond the headlines of the day, as a Vancouver-based political scientist I pay particular attention to provincial and municipal politics.

I am also a Dad, and partial to Dad jokes on Twitter.