Research

"Corporations, Community, and Cocoa: A Role for Non-State Actors in Rural Development"

My dissertation considers the local political effects of international companies' privately funded development initiatives throughout the cocoa industry. Various chapters investigate changes in decision-making at the local government level and local citizens' participation in various parts of the democratic process.  

I use mixed methods, combining observational data, a survey experiment, and interviews with various stakeholders to advance a new research agenda on the local political effects of firm-led development. 

This research has been graciously supported by the Pearson Institute (2023-25), the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights (2025-26), and the George J. Stigler Center (2025-26).