Project 1: The Mass Protest Project

Protests and demonstrations have become the dominant form for public signals of discontent. The literature on nonviolent civil resistance has noted the successfulness of protestors and demonstrations in removing dictators and changing policy. However, there is also evidence of significant democratic backsliding in the immediate aftermath of a nonviolent movement. Lacking in literature is quantitative evidence on the intermediate impact of movements, are the intermediate and long-term effects of a movement?

In this research project, students will research and gather information on the aftermath of protest movements. Students will be directly involved in the compiling of an event history dataset on protest concessions, outcomes, and consequences.

Required skills: High level of knowledge and comfort with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Suite (Google Calendar, Google Drive). High level of comfort with general news searches. Excellent time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize among multiple tasks.

Students with some familiarity with coding, survey research, and/or data and/or statistical or methodological course completion are highly encouraged to apply.

Project 2: Polarization and Political Violence in the US

(Co-Lead with Dr. Erin Cikanek, Cornell University)

Project Description:

The United States is polarizing faster than any other country and the effects are severe and widespread. Of concern is the linkage between polarization and domestic political violence. This project analyzes and measures 1) how polarization influences an individual’s attitudes towards political violence, 2) the levels of public complacency towards political violence. Students will get hands-on experience in the deployment process of surveys and experiments.

Required skills: High level of knowledge and comfort with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel) and Google Suite (Google Calendar, Google Drive). High level of comfort with general news searches. Excellent time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize among multiple tasks.

Students with some familiarity with coding, survey research, and/or data and/or statistical or methodological course completion are highly encouraged to apply.