
Welcome to my website. I am an Assistant Professor in the department of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island where I have established the Security Forces and Society Lab at the Center for Non Violence and Peace Studies. I am also a Research Fellow/faculty consultant at the Gender and the Security Sector Lab (GSS lab) at the Government Department at Cornell University. I received my PhD in political science from Binghamton University (SUNY) in 2022. I study international relations and comparative politics and I am broadly interested in understanding the dynamics of political economy of security, civil-military relations, and political violence.
I study security forces, particularly militaries, and their roles in society: how they influence economic, social, and political outcomes, and how those forces are themselves shaped by these dynamics. From 2021-now I work (as a Predoctoral Fellow/Postdoctoral Fellow/ and now Research Fellow) at the GSS lab at Cornell University, I have had the privilege of working with different security forces around the world (Jordan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Uruguay, Cambodia, and other countries). I worked with Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance and UN Women to identify barriers within the police and military institutions. Please refer to my ELSIE Initiative Research page for more information.
I use a variety of research methodologies in my work including cross-national large N, qualitative and quantitative comparative case studies, survey and experimental designs, archival research, and interviews. I am a political scientist by training but am also interested in policy implications of political science research. I have worked with different national and international organizations/institutions like Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance, UN Women, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Jordanian National Commission for Women, University of Dhaka, and other local and international stakeholder to produce several comprehensive barrier assessment for police and military institutions around the world.
I am an avid hiker. I find peace and joy in the mountains. Whenever time allows, I escape to the trails to recharge, reflect, and challenge myself. Although I have a long list of mountains to explore, some of my favorites have been the Grand Teton, Mt Rainier, Pico do Ariero, Isola di Panarea, and the Italian Alps. I also enjoy skiing and running outdoors. Nature is my happy place!
You can reach me at roya.izadi@uri.edu.








