My research focuses on the intersection between politics and organized crime. My doctoral thesis provides a framework for explaining variation in territorial control in Latin American cities, explaining how and why States are able to gain and sustain territorial control in marginalized urban communities dominated by armed criminal actors. I test my theoretical framework across several different case studies, drawing on data collected during extensive fieldwork in six different cities from across Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. Currently, I am also undertaking research on how organized criminal groups in Latin America influence subnational democracy, as well as how gangs construct systems of local-level order.

I have previously taught undergraduate students on the “Practice of Politics”, and “Politics in Latin America” courses, as well as on the “Foundations” course at the Blavatnik School of Government. At Pembroke, I teach the International Relations courses for undergraduates, including the IR core course and “International Security and Conflict”.