Katie Angell

Katie Angell is a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in Comparative Politics with a focus on the Latin American region. Her research revolves around two interconnected themes: Race and ethnic politics, and the examination of public goods provision, specifically security provision and vigilantism. Katie's academic pursuit involves studying how states in Latin America make strategic decisions concerning the allocation of public goods within ethnically and racially diverse societies. A primary objective of her research is to comprehend the implications of these decisions for ethnic and racial minority communities within the state.

To gain comprehensive insights into these areas of study, Katie employs rigorous data collection methods, combining intensive fieldwork with innovative quantitative approaches. Notably, her research methodology includes dedicated efforts to collect subnational data through on-the-ground research in rural areas of Central America. Her commitment to methodological excellence is further demonstrated through her participation in programs such as the University of Michigan's ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods. As both a fellow and a teaching assistant in this program, she immerses herself in cutting-edge quantitative methodologies, continually refining her skills in data analysis.

Before pursuing her PhD, Katie earned a Master's Degree in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Education & Training

  • Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, Vanderbilt University, 2013
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2011

Research Interest Summary

Comparative Politics, Race and Ethnic Politics, Public Goods Provision, Crime and Security 

Area of Study