Classes and Syllabi
  • ​Graduate:
    • International Political Economy (most recently, Fall 2023)
    • Research in International Politics writing seminar (most recently, Spring 2018)
    • MBA: Business and Policy in the Global Economy (most recently, Spring 2022)
  • Undergraduate:
    • International Political Economy (most recently, Fall 2024)
    • Multinational Corporations and International Law (most recently, Spring 2023)
    • Science, Technology, and Politics (most recently, Spring 2024) 
Student Research Opportunities
I provide regular research opportunities to students as a faculty research director with the Innovations for Peace and Development (IPD) research lab. At IPD, faculty work with teams of graduate and undergraduate collaborators to produce social science research to be published in academic journals, books, and white papers for policymakers. IPD also provides in-depth training on data analysis skills and statistical software programs that will serve you well in your career. Please use the website to see what research teams are currently running and for application details.
Recommendation Letter Instructions
Bottom line: If you want me to write you a thorough, high-quality, tailored recommendation letter, you need to set me up for success.
  • In your initial email message regarding a recommendation, please do the following: 
    • Send the email from your official UTexas email address and include your EID (if applicable).
    • Attach your resume and an unofficial transcript (screenshot is fine). 
    • If we haven't been in touch lately, remind me where/when we met and why you chose to ask me in particular for a recommendation. Note: You shouldn't hesitate to ask me for a letter if you're on the fence about it; serving you in this way is an important part of my job. I promise to be honest with you about whether I am a good choice. If not, I can help you brainstorm other possible letter writers. 
    • If you took a course with me, remind me when you took it, how you did in it, and describe 1-2 takeaways you have from it.
    • Tell me the purpose of the recommendation letter in your own words. If appropriate, also provide an official description/link in addition. 
    • Tell me the exact deadline(s) that I (and not you) need to meet.​
      • Please request your letter at least 2(-ish) weeks before my deadline. If that's not possible, ask anyway, and we'll see if we can figure it out.
      • If there is a rolling deadline, you still need to tell me when you want me to submit the letter.
  • Recommended: See me in office hours (current info on landing page).
    • If we have not been in touch recently, and/or you need me to write a long letter (e.g. for graduate school), it would be helpful for you to make an appointment to see me in office hours.
    • In our conversation, I'll informally gather more details from you about your plans and career goals, specific examples of your skills, etc. 
  • 1-2 weeks before deadline:
    •  The best letters precisely match and build on the documents you personally prepare for the application. Therefore, you should be proactive in sending me a draft version of those documents. Send only one rough draft of your documents: I'm just looking to get the gist of your application. Please organize and send all documents in a single email. ​
      • ​If you do not send me a rough draft in a timely manner, I will still write the letter. However, you should know that your choice not to send materials limits my ability to match my letter to your goals. (To repeat: you need to be proactive; I will not chase you down for materials.)
    • Provide me the specific instructions on where to submit the letter, and reconfirm my deadline. I expect you to do all the necessary administrative work (including filling out my contact information, etc. on any forms as necessary). This allows me to focus on my comparative advantage -- writing your letter. 
    • ​​​​Confirm that you have waived your right to read my recommendation letter. I will not allow you to read my letter. This is in your best interest -- non-blinded letters are judged differently and therefore are not as useful to you. If for some reason I cannot write a blinded letter, make that clear to me up front. I will likely decline to write the letter.