Policy Writing: I am dedicated to producing rigorous, policy-relevant research, and then disseminating my findings to the public. To that end, I have published my insights on international kidnapping, state-led detentions, and ransomware attacks in multiple policy outlets:
"Armed group allegedly plotted to kidnap Michigan's governor. Here are 5 things to know about political kidnappings." The Washington Post, October 14, 2020. Online here. "Why Trump's alleged comments about soldiers brought so much outrage.'' The Washington Post, September 12, 2020. Online here. "News of a Kidnapping." Political Violence at a Glance, September 2, 2020. Online here. "Borders, Blinders, and Mental Maps: Assessing Scenario Analysis in Light of Covid-19," (with Rachel Whitlark). Duck of Minerva. June 8, 2020. Online here. "Taking Stock at 40: The UN Convention Against the Taking of Hostages." Just Security. December 20, 2019. Online here. "The Collapse of Compassion: Visual Suffering and Political Change." Political Violence at a Glance, July 5, 2019. Online here. "Trump claims he's the greatest hostage negotiator ever. So why did he make it harder to bring Americans home?" Monkey Cage blog, The Washington Post, April 29, 2019. Online here. "'No Concessions'? A Closer Look at U.S. Hostage Recovery Policy." War on the Rocks, February 27, 2019. Online here. "What the Dublin Tram System Hack Reveals about the Future of Hostage Taking." Just Security, January 11, 2019. Online here. "The U.S. believes that kidnapped journalist Austin Tice is still alive. Here are 5 things to know about global kidnapping." Monkey Cage blog, The Washington Post, December 4, 2018. Online here. "Will Colombia's next president be a former left-wing guerrilla?" Monkey Cage blog, The Washington Post, June 15, 2018. Online here. "How a Decade of the iPhone Changed Global Kidnapping," War on the Rocks, January 4, 2018. Online here.
Bridging the Gap: For the past four years, I have served as a fellow with the Bridging the Gap Project, which supports scholars in contributing to public debates on global challenges and foreign policy. I manage BTG's annual New Era Workshop, a three-day conference that trains Ph.D. students to produce and share policy-relevant scholarship.
Invited Appearances: I am regularly invited to brief non-academic audiences on my areas of expertise. In the past year, I have spoken at a State Department event on the role of hostage recovery in peace processes and during the open plenary of CARE's national conference. I have also been invited to advise the James W. Foley Foundation and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A full list of invited appearances can be found in my CV.