Christopher Shay

Christopher Shay

Carr Center Fellow
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Christopher Shay is a doctoral student and research fellow at the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He studies international relations and comparative politics, with a focus on political violence, insurgencies (both violent and nonviolent), and state repression. His dissertation research uses statistical evidence to show that governments (even newly established democracies) usually fail to alleviate human rights abuse after conflicts, and attempts to explain why some countries manage to break out of the 'repression trap'. Aside from his doctoral research, Christopher manages the Nonviolent and Violent Campaigns and Outcomes (NAVCO) data project for Dr. Erica Chenoweth, and also provides analysis on India's long-running Naxalite (Maoist) insurgency to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He received his Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University, where he subsequently worked as a research assistant for the Uppsala Conflict Data Program. Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Christopher worked with the Student Conservation Association and the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a conservation educator, a fire ecology research assistant, and (for brief periods) as a wildland firefighter. He holds a Bachelors degree from Hanover College.