Academic Appointments
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Associate Professor of Political Science, 2017–Present
Assistant Professor of Political Science, 2010–2017
Faculty Associate, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, 2010–Present
Education
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science, Departmental Distinction, 2010
Master of Philosophy in Political Science, 2007
Master of Arts in Political Science, 2005
University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, summa cum laude, 2003
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, summa cum laude, 2003
Refereed Books
When Norms Collide: Local Responses to Activism against Female Genital Mutilation and Early Marriage. 2016. New York: Oxford University Press.
One of three finalists for the Charles Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order (2018)
Subject of Author Meets Critics roundtable, International Studies Association Annual Conference (2017)
Reviewed in Ethics and International Affairs
Refereed Articles
“Elites, Exit Options, and Social Barriers to Norm Change: The Complex Case of Female Genital Mutilation.” 2015. Studies in Comparative International Development 50(3): 378–407.
“False Commitments: Local Misrepresentation and the International Norms Against Female Genital Mutilation and Early Marriage.” 2014. International Organization 68(3): 495–526.
Recipient of the Robert O. Keohane Award (2014)
Book Reviews
Greenhill, Brian. 2015. Transmitting Rights: International Organizations and the Diffusion of Human Rights Practices. New York: Oxford University Press. Review forthcoming in Perspectives on Politics.
Under Review
“Strange Bedfellows: The Personalization of NGO–Government Relations.” Journal of Development Studies. Revise and resubmit.
“Motive, Opportunity, and the Evolution of the Kenyan NGO Sector.” Journal of Modern African Studies. Revise and resubmit.
Work in Progress
“Altruists on the Campaign Trail? Why Civil Society Workers Run for Office.”
“The NGO Life Cycle: Organizational Survival and the International Aid Regime.”
“Following the Money: ‘Mission Creep’ in Kenyan NGOs.”
Awards
Finalist, Charles Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order (2018)
Robert O. Keohane Award for best research article published in International Organization by an untenured scholar (2014)
Grants and Fellowships
Colin Powell Global Order and Foreign Policy Fellowship, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2018)
Faculty Information Literacy Stipend, Central University Libraries, Southern Methodist University (2017)
University Research Council Grant, Southern Methodist University (2017)
Sam Taylor Fellowship, Sam Taylor Fellowship Fund of the Division of Higher Education, United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (2015)
Fellows Seminar research honorarium, Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, Southern Methodist University (2014)
John G. Tower Center Faculty Fellowship, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2013)
Colin Powell Global Order and Foreign Policy Fellowship, John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2012)
University Research Council Grant, Southern Methodist University (2011)
Samuel K. Bushnell Fellowship, Yale University (2009–2010)
Yale University Dissertation Fellowship (2008–2009)
Dissertation Research Grant, Institute for Social and Policy Studies and MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University (2008)
Georg Walter Leitner Program in International and Comparative Political Economy Research Grant, Yale University (Summer 2007)
Yale University Doctoral Fellowship (2004–2007)
Yale University Sterling Academic Fellowship (2004–2006)
Invited Talks
TEDxSMUWomen, “Harmful Traditional Practices: Norms, Laws, and Activism,” Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (October 2016)
Book talk on When Norms Collide, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (April 2016)
Book talk on When Norms Collide, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (March 2016)
Book talk on When Norms Collide, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA (February 2016)
Book talk on When Norms Collide, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA (February 2016)
Godbey Lecture Series, “20 Years of Change in Africa,” Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (April 2014)
“New Trends in Development in Africa” Roundtable, University of Indiana, Bloomington, IN (October 2013)
Conference Presentations
“Altruists on the Campaign Trail? Why Civil Society Workers Run for Office.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (November 2017).
“Altruists on the Campaign Trail? Civil Society Work as a Path to Political Office.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2017).
Discussant, Graduate Conference on Empirical Approaches to Gender, Yale University, New Haven, CT (May 2017).
“Targeting Individuals Instead of States: Transnational Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (February 2017).
“Motive, Opportunity, and the Evolution of the Kenyan NGO Sector.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2016).
“Strange Bedfellows: The Personalization of NGO–Government Relations.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (March 2016).
“Strange Bedfellows: The Local Politics of NGO–Government Relations.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2015).
“The NGO Life Cycle: Organizational Birth and Death in the Kenyan Development Sector.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (February 2015).
“The NGO Life Cycle: Organizational Birth and Death in the Kenyan Development Sector.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (November 2014).
“Following the Money: ‘Mission Creep’ in Kenyan NGOs.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (August 2013).
“Following the Money: ‘Mission Creep’ in Kenyan NGOs.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (April 2013).
“A Change is Gonna Come: Local Behavioral Responses to the Transnational Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (April 2012).
“Jack of All Trades, Master of None: Pathologies of Grassroots NGOs.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2011).
“A Change is Gonna Come: Shifting Micro-Level Behavior in the Transnational Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2010).
“Actions Speak Louder than Words: Micro-Level Responses to the Transnational Campaign on Violence Against Women.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (September 2009).
“Actions Speak Louder than Words: Micro-Level Responses to the Transnational Campaign Against FGM/C.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association (April 2009).
“Actions Speak Louder than Words: Micro-Level Responses to the Transnational Campaign Against FGM/C.” Presented at the MacMillan Workshop on International Relations, Yale University (March 2009).
“Heeding the International Call? Government Efforts to Protect Women from Harmful Traditional Practices.” Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association (November 2007).
“Heeding the International Call? Government Efforts to Protect Women from Harmful Traditional Practices.” Presented at the MacMillan Workshop on International Relations, Yale University (October 2007).
Courses Taught
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Government and Politics of Africa
Gender in World Politics
International Organizations
Departmental Service
Undergraduate Advisor, Political Science Department, Southern Methodist University (2011–Present)
Member, Tower Scholars Program Faculty Advisory Committee, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2017–Present)
Search Committee Member, John Goodwin Tower Distinguished Chair in International Politics and National Security, Political Science Department, Southern Methodist University (2017–2018)
Guest Lecturer, “International Political Economy” course, Southern Methodist University (2017)
Selection Committee Member, Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2015–2016)
Selection Committee Member, Kelli and Gerald J. Ford Scholarship, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2015–2016)
Selection Committee Member, Rubottom Foreign Service Scholarship, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2015–2016)
Selection Committee Member, Tower Undergraduate Fellowship, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2015–2016)
Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to International Relations” course, Southern Methodist University (2016)
Guest Lecturer, “International Political Economy” course, Southern Methodist University (2016)
Reader, Political Science Department Undergraduate Distinction Thesis, Southern Methodist University (2014)
Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to International Relations” course, Southern Methodist University (2014)
Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to International Relations” course, Southern Methodist University (2013)
Advisor, Political Science Department Undergraduate Distinction Thesis, Southern Methodist University (2012–2013)
Reader, Political Science Department Undergraduate Distinction Thesis, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to International Relations” course, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Supervisor, Directed Reading, Southern Methodist University (2011)
Mentor, Tower Center Student Forum “Humanitarian Intervention in Africa” Policy Committee, Southern Methodist University (2011)
Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to International Relations” course, Southern Methodist University (2011)
Selection Committee Member, Jack C. and Annette K. Vaughn Foreign Service and International Affairs Internship, John G. Tower Center for Political Studies, Southern Methodist University (2010)
University Activity and Service
Member, African Studies Program Committee, Dedman College of Arts and Sciences, Southern Methodist University (2017–Present)
Member, Knight-Hennessy Scholarship Interview Committee, Southern Methodist University (2017)
Panelist, AARO Academic Reality Session, Southern Methodist University (2017)
Faculty Affiliate, IGNITE Texas College Chapter, Southern Methodist University (2015–Present)
Co-organizer, Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute Fellows Seminar, “Global Africa: Between Intervention and Engagement,” Southern Methodist University (2014–2015)
Supervisor, Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars, Southern Methodist University (2014–2015)
Discussion Leader, Common Reading discussion event, Southern Methodist University (2014)
Advisor, ElectHer student organization, Southern Methodist University (2013–2014)
Member, Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute Research Cluster, “Reframing Africa,” Southern Methodist University (2013)
Advisor, Engaged Learning Project, Southern Methodist University (2013)
Guest Speaker, “Advanced Feminist Theory” course, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Speaker, AARO Faculty Lunches, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Panelist, AARO Academic Reality Session, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Member, University Task Force on Faculty Leave, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Guest Speaker, Amnesty International SMU Chapter, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Selection Committee Member, Hunt Leadership Scholars Program, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Member, Boren Scholarship Interview Committee, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Advisor, Richter Fellow, Southern Methodist University (2011–2012)
Community and Public Service
Advisor, “Harmful Cultural Practices” project, Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs, Toronto, Canada (2016)
Panelist, Discussion of Difret Film, Gendercide Awareness Project, Dallas, TX (2016)
Guest Speaker, “Managing Conflict and Building Peace” course, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX (2013)
Panelist, Discussion of It’s a Girl Documentary, Gendercide Awareness Project, Dallas, TX (2012)
Guest Speaker, Fellowship of Freethought, Dallas, TX (2011)
Media
“Understanding the Transnational Campaign to End Early Marriage.” Political Violence @ a Glance (June 2016).
Workshops and Professional Development
Academic Exchange Mission to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (2016)
“Book-in-Progress” Workshop for When Norms Collide, Southern Methodist University (2012)
Manuscript Refereeing
Oxford University Press, International Organization, International Studies Quarterly, International Interactions, International Studies Perspectives, World Development, International Studies Review, African Studies, Africa Today, Voluntas, Public Administration and Development, International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
Professional Association Memberships
American Political Science Association
International Studies Association
African Studies Association
African Politics Conference Group
Midwest Group on African Political Economy
Field Work
Kenya: June–July 2017; July–August 2016; January–April 2014; June–July 2011; January–November 2008; June–August 2007
Tanzania: August 2007