I study how gender, political institutions, and evolving national dynamics shape who participates in American democracy. My dissertation focuses on how the nationalization of local politics—particularly school board elections—is reshaping candidate pools and narrowing women’s pathways into public office. Using a multi‑method approach that includes experimental surveys, interviews, and a range of quantitative techniques, I analyze how campaign finance, partisan ballot reforms, and voter decision‑making interact to reduce women’s political ambition and electoral success.

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Alongside this work, I have supported a wide range of research projects on topics including organ‑trafficking networks, military applications of AI, misinformation campaigns, and comparative political parties. These experiences highlight the breadth of my research background and my ability to work across diverse political contexts.

Across all of my research, I aim to identify the structural forces that shape political participation and to advance our understanding of how evolving political environments affect democratic representation, especially for women. Below is further detail of various other experiences in academia.