Personal profile
Research overview
Dr Harkness' research interests lie at the intersection of ethnic politics and conflict studies, with a regional focus on Africa. She is engaged in several ongoing research projects that share a substantive focus on understanding the role of ethnicity in shaping the causes and dynamics of violence and a methodological focus on creating original large-N datasets through intensive archival research.
Biography
Dr. Kristen A. Harkness joined the School of International Relations in 2013. She previously held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame after earning her PhD in Comparative Politics and International Relations from Princeton University.
Teaching activity
Modules
- Rebellion and Revolution (IR3060)
- Force and Statecraft (IR4548)
- International Security (IR5001)
- The Military in Politics (IR5065)
Lectures
- Issues in IR (IR2006) - has contributed lectures on ethnic conflict
- Research Methods in IR (IR5601) - has contributed lectures on comparative methods, quantitative methods, and research ethics
- Curriculum Design and Assessment (ID5102) - has contributed a case study on innovative teaching practice
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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When soldiers rebel: ethnic armies and political instability in Africa
Harkness, K. A., Sept 2018, Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press. 278 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book
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The ethnic stacking in Africa dataset: when leaders use ascriptive identity to build military loyalty
Harkness, K. A., Sept 2022, In: Conflict Management and Peace Science. 39, 5, p. 609-632 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Security force assistance to Cameroon: how building enclave units deepens autocracy
Harkness, K., 2 Nov 2022, In: International Affairs. 98, 6, p. 2099-2117 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
The ethnic army and the state: explaining coup traps and the difficulties of democratization in Africa
Harkness, K., Jun 2016, In: Journal of Conflict Resolution. 60, 4, p. 587-616 30 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Military loyalty and the failure of democratization in Africa: how ethnic armies shape the capacity of presidents to defy term limits
Harkness, K. A., 29 Jul 2017, In: Democratization. 24, 5, p. 801-818 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Datasets
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Measuring the landscape of civil war: evaluating geographic coding decisions with historic data from the Mau Mau rebellion (dataset)
Douglass , R. W. (Creator) & Harkness, K. A. (Creator), GitHub, 26 Dec 2017
https://github.com/rexdouglass/MeasuringLandscape
Dataset
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The Ethnic Stacking in Africa Dataset: When leaders use ascriptive identity to build military loyalty (dataset)
Harkness, K. (Creator), University of St Andrews, 19 Nov 2021
DOI: 10.17630/6e99900f-22e2-44bb-b7b1-309d25a4bb63
Dataset
File
Projects
- 3 Finished
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International Affair Defence: International Affairs and Defence: ESRC Thematic Research Lead
Harkness, K. (PI)
Economic and Social Research Council
1/01/23 → 30/09/24
Project: Standard
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The Ethnic Politics of Dictatorship: The Ethnic Politics of Dictatorship
Harkness, K. (PI)
1/11/20 → 31/07/21
Project: Standard
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The Role of Ethnicity in African: The Role of Ethnicity in African Militaries: Generating New Data on Ethnic Stacking Practices
Harkness, K. (PI)
1/09/17 → 31/08/18
Project: Standard
Prizes
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2014 University of St. Andrews Students' Association Innovation in Teaching Award
Harkness, K. (Recipient), 1 May 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2017 African Politics Conference Group Best Article Award
Harkness, K. (Recipient), 17 Nov 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2017 University of St. Andrews Students' Association Excellent Module (Arts/Divinity) Teaching Award
Harkness, K. (Recipient), 18 Apr 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Shortlisted for 2022 University of St. Andrews Students' Association Outstanding Teacher (Arts & Divinity) Award
Harkness, K. (Recipient), May 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Shortlisted for 2025 University of St. Andrews Students' Association Outstanding Innovation in Teaching Award
Harkness, K. (Recipient), Apr 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Impacts
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Aiding Ukrainian Defense and Lessons Learned during the Russo-Ukrainian War
Harkness, K. (Participant), De Vore, M. (Participant), O'Brien, P. (Participant), Strachan, H. (Participant) & Gethins, S. (Participant)
Impact: Public Policy Impact