- Assistant Professor of Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
I am a political scientist studying statebuilding, civil wars, and political violence in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, with extensive field research experience. I am an Assistant Professor of Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with affiliations in Political Science and Latin American & Iberian Studies.
I hold a PhD and a masters in government from Harvard University, a masters in sociology from the University of Cape Town, and a BA in political science from Yale University. My research has been published in multiple journals and edited volumes, and my commentary and analysis have been published by outlets including The Conversation, Foreign Policy, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post.
Experience
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2018–presentAssistant Professor of Global Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
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2018–2019Postdoctoral fellow, Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
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2012–2018Doctoral Student in Government, Harvard University
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2011–2012Research Consultant, Handicap International
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2010–2011Research associate, Centre for Social Science Research, Univrsity of Cape Town
Education
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2018Harvard University, Ph.D. in Government
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2015Harvard University, A.M. in Government
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2011University of Cape Town, MSocSc in Sociology
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2009Yale University, B.A. in Political Science
Professional Memberships
- American Political Science Association
- International Studies Association
- African Studies Association
- Latin American Studies Association
Contact Kai for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
- Website
- X (formerly Twitter): @KaiMThaler
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined