When people ask what I do, I tell them I'm a political scientist. When they ask if I want to be a politician, I ask them if they think oncologists want to be tumors. Often they look at me funny.
I am Professor and Chair of Political Science at UF. I study the politics of development, resource wealth, and political order. As a teacher and mentor, I work with students pursuing questions across comparative politics and international relations. As department chair, I work to support a scholarly community in which faculty and students can do ambitious work and develop over the long term. Links to my published scholarship can be found by clicking on "Research" above left. TL/DR bio: A kid from a temporary trailer school outside Fairbanks got curious and kept following the questions.
Fall 2026 office hours are M 2-330pm. You can book a meeting here:.
