My research sits at the intersection of political behavior, intergroup relations, and immigrant integration. Specifically, I explore three main areas: (1) how intergroup relations and boundary making influence immigrants’ political attitudes and behaviors in host societies; (2) how immigrants engage with democratic politics and respond to political opportunities and constraints; (3) how political context, party competition, and social discourses construct the legitimacy of groups within the political community.
<p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">Not All Contact Is Equal: Interaction with Natives and Immigrant Political Integration in Hostile Contexts</span></p>
<p class="research-entry__status">Job Market Paper</p>
<ul class="research-entry__presented">
<li><em>Presented at <a href="/updates/2026-05-08-priec-at-ucsb/">PRIEC 2026</a>, <a href="/updates/2026-04-23-mpsa-annual-meeting/">MPSA 2026</a>, <a href="/updates/2025-09-11-apsa-annual-meeting/">APSA 2025</a>.</em></li>
</ul>
</div> <p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">Cross-Ethnic Engagement and Political Integration of First-Generation Immigrants in Quebec</span> <span class="research-entry__coauthor">(with Antoine Bilodeau)</span>.</p>
<details class="research-entry__details">
<summary class="research-entry__summary">Abstract</summary>
<p class="research-entry__abstract">Using a survey conducted in 2019, this paper analyzes immigrants in the province of Quebec and shows that engaging in political activities with non-co-ethnic individuals fosters immigrant political integration by exposing immigrants to diverse perspectives, promoting a broader civic identity, and enhancing feelings of belonging and trust in the host society.</p>
</details>
<ul class="research-entry__presented">
<li><em>Presented at <a href="/updates/2025-04-03-mpsa-annual-meeting/">MPSA 2025</a>.</em></li>
</ul>
</div> <p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">Is Six Degrees of Separation Five Too Many? The Limits of Indirect Contact</span> <span class="research-entry__coauthor">(with Cara Wong)</span>.</p>
<details class="research-entry__details">
<summary class="research-entry__summary">Abstract</summary>
<p class="research-entry__abstract">Intergroup interaction can reduce prejudice, but practical constraints limit direct contact, leading researchers to study indirect contact, such as knowing someone who knows an outgroup member. While social psychology meta-analyses suggest that indirect contact influences attitudes, political science research on military conscription questions its impact on political attitudes and behavior. This raises normative concerns about segregation and the need to understand why brief outgroup contact can be meaningful while long-term coexistence may have little effect.</p>
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</div> <p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">Well-Integrated Immigrants Without a Sense of Belonging? Revisiting Integration Paradox and Successful Integration in Western Europe.</span></p>
<details class="research-entry__details">
<summary class="research-entry__summary">Abstract</summary>
<p class="research-entry__abstract">This study examines the relationship between immigrants' economic integration and their sense of belonging in European host societies. Using the 2018 European Social Survey, I employ a three-step analytical approach to demonstrate the absence of a significant effect of economic integration on immigrants' sense of belonging.</p>
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<ul class="research-entry__presented">
<li><em>Presented at <a href="/updates/2022-09-09-washington-illinois-student-exchange/">Washington-Illinois Student Exchange 2022</a>, <a href="/updates/2023-11-16-priec-at-unt/">PRIEC 2023</a>, <a href="/updates/2022-04-11-mpsa-annual-meeting/">MPSA 2022</a>.</em></li>
</ul>
</div> <p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">Intergroup Boundaries Among Majority and Minority Groups</span> <span class="research-entry__coauthor">(with Christian Czymara and Irena Kogan)</span>.</p>
</div> <p class="research-entry__title"><span class="research-entry__title-main">When Do Losers Defy Electoral Outcomes?</span> <span class="research-entry__coauthor">(with Jonghoon Lee)</span>.</p>
<details class="research-entry__details">
<summary class="research-entry__summary">Abstract</summary>
<p class="research-entry__abstract">Democratic stability depends on losers' consent. Yet, recent elections across consolidated democracies show that defeated candidates increasingly challenge electoral outcomes, alleging electoral fraud. Why do some electoral losers refuse to concede defeat and instead allege fraud? We argue that candidates with precarious standing within their party face strong incentives to delegitimize electoral results and externalize blame for their loss. To test our theoretical claims, we construct an original cross-national, candidate-level dataset of electoral fraud allegations in consolidated democracies since 1990. Preliminary analysis provides partial support for the association between intraparty vulnerability and fraud allegations. The paper contributes to our understanding of democratic backsliding, intraparty competition, and elite strategic behaviors in electoral politics.</p>
</details>
<ul class="research-entry__presented">
<li><em>Presented at <a href="/updates/2026-04-23-mpsa-annual-meeting/">MPSA 2026</a>.</em></li>
</ul>
</div>