Students/Thesis Advising
Office Hours
My office hours during the academic year 2023-24 are on Thursday's 3-5pm.
If you are a student in one of my modules, please sign-up via the Booking link on Blackboard and indicate whether you wish to meet in person or online.
If you are not a student in one of my classes, please contact me via email to request a meeting.
Writing a BA/MA/Msc Dissertation Under My Supervision
I am happy to supervise dissertations within the field of "Comparative Political Economy of Development and Conflict" or other thesis topic involving quantitative empirical analyses or an experimental approach. If you are unsure about whether a specific thesis topic fits or would like to discuss potential topocs, please feel free to contact me.
List of passed UG advisees (BA Dissertations)
List of passed MA/MSc advisees (MA/MSc Dissertations)
Writing a PhD Dissertation Under My Supervision
I welcome requests for PhD dissertation supervision within the field of "Comparative Political Economy of Development and Conflict". I believe that transparency in requirements and expectations between students and professors is important, so please consider the following points before contacting me:
Read some of my current working papers to see (i) whether my research falls in the area you are interested in and (ii) whether you find it interesting and thought-provoking enough to be willing to interact with me on a regular basis.
My research takes a rational choice approach and empirically uses various quantitative/statistical techniques to answer substantive questions. Consequentially, I expect prospective PhD students to be familiar with the basics of game theory and formal modelling, basic statistics, linear regression, and causal inference, and most importantly be willing and eager to learn much more in both areas.
A PhD thesis must go beyond existing work and make a contribution to the existing literature. For example, by developing a new theory, finding an empirical way to distinguish between two existing theories, develop a new empirical method, or take a fresh empirical look at an old question. Following the Nike slogan: "Innovate, don't imitate!"
When writing me, please send a short(!) summary of what your dissertation will be about, which research gap it intends to fill, what it will accomplish and how -- two pages are sufficient; a full proposal is not necessary.
Keep in mind that most PhD-funding deadlines are in mid-January and that submitting a competitive proposal will require a substantial amount of work from both you and me. Hence, if you are interested in working on a funding application you should contact me as soon as possible at the latest in early November.
Finally, note that I am unable to decide whether you will be able to join the PhD program at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA). All prospective PhD students must apply here. For further information on funding and potential (co-)supervisors, please visit the website of the Centre for Institutions and Political Behavior.
If you are unsure whether getting a PhD is the right thing for you, I recommend you read "To PhD or not to PhD".
Letters of Recommendation for Undergraduate or Postgraduate Students
I am happy to write letters of recommendation for under- and postgraduate students that
have taken a module I taught (obviously, the better you did formatively and summatively, the better my recommendation will be) OR
have produced a single-authored piece of work, such as an undergraduate dissertation under my supervision.
I need at least three weeks prior notice before the letter is due. All letters will be confidential in the sense that they will only be mailed to the respective institution/organization/firm the student is applying. For me to write you an effective letter, please send me the following information in a single email:
Max 1 page about the institution/organization/firm and the position you are applying for, why you are applying, and why you think you are particularly well suited for the position
Current CV
Copy of your current statement of marks/transcript
List of modules you have taken with me and/or copy of the thesis written under my supervision