Lewis, Jacob
Bio
I came to the University of Maryland after working in the field of international development, where I managed post-conflict, anti-corruption, and democratization programs across Africa and in Afghanistan. I am passionate about issues of political corruption, government dysfunction, and political conflict.
My dissertation research focuses on why African anti-corruption social movements respond to government corruption in such different ways, and I focus on how the types of corruption and the distribution of corrupt spoils shape contentious movement goals and coalitions. I am particularly fascinated by how different forms of corruption shape social and institutional trust, which affect citizen mobilization. My work is supervised by John McCauley, Mark Lichbach, and David Cunningham.
I have several articles under review that complement my dissertation, including work that looks at how government corruption shapes the conditions for social movement mobilization, the impact of corruption on future-oriented grievances (with Brandon Behlendorf), and the way in which uncertainty and trust shape violent escalation of peaceful protests (with Brandon Ives).
During my first three years at the University of Maryland, I conducted research for Paul Huth and Mark Lichbach on their forthcoming book. Over the past two years, I have taught classes in the Minor in International Development and Conflict Management program, where I have benefited from mentorship from Stacy Kosko and David Backer.
Degrees
MA | International Affairs & Public Policy - American University of Paris
BA | Psychology - Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Areas of Interest
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Conflict Processes
- Social Movements & Contentious Politics
- Corruption
- Ethnicity
- Institutions
Research Topics
Jacob Lewis
Alumnus
| Tydings Hall 5107
| jslewis@umd.edu
| (202) 870-3677