Welcome!

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at Binghamton University. My major is comparative politics, and my minor is international relations. 

My research interests include ethnic politics, ethnic conflict, state minority policies, nation-building, and conflict management. Regionally, I focus on post-Communist and Southern Europe, as well as parts of the Middle East—particularly Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

My research primarily examines how states govern ethnic diversity. I focus on the causes and consequences of state policies toward ethnic minority groups, examining why states adopt particular approaches and what outcomes these choices cause.

The consequences of state minority policies are central to my research and fall into two main areas of interest. First, I study their impact on individuals and communities, specifically, how state policies shape identity salience, political attitudes, and inter-group relations. Second, I examine the state itself, analyzing the factors and broader trends that drive policy change over time.

My research has been published in Nationalism and Ethnic Politics and Nations and Nationalism. Several additional manuscripts are currently under review or in preparation for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

My dissertation examines why some states recognize ethnic minority rights while others do not, and how and why these policies change over time. I have compiled a novel dataset that tracks state policies toward ethnic minorities over a 50-year period in new European democracies. The project also includes comparative case studies of Greece and Bulgaria, as well as Turkey and Spain. This research contributes to the literatures on ethnic politics, democratic resilience, and conflict resolution. It offers insights for both scholars and practitioners interested in building stable and inclusive democracies in divided societies. To learn more about my dissertation project, please visit the Dissertation tab.

Methodologically, I use a mixed-methods research approach. On the quantitative side, in addition to conventional statistical methods, I employ tools such as machine learning models, computer-assisted text analysis, and geospatial data analysis. These are complemented by qualitative techniques including process tracing, comparative case study, and ethnography. 

I have taught Python for political data analysis and developed instructional tutorials for classroom use. Some of the data visualization codebooks can be accessed here. I am also committed to open source and regularly share code and resources on my GitHub.

For more information, see my CV.