Calvert W. Jones

Calvert W. Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on political behavior, citizen-building processes, and authoritarian governance, particularly in the Middle East. She holds a Ph.D. from Yale University, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge (as a Gates Scholar), and master's degrees from UC Berkeley and Columbia University. Her work explores topics such as gender bias, the impact of dystopian fiction on political attitudes, and the role of experts in authoritarian regimes.

Education:

• Ph.D., Political Science, Yale University
• MPhil, International Relations, University of Cambridge (Gates Scholar)
• MIMS, Information Management & Systems, UC Berkeley
• B.A., Philosophy & Computer Science, Columbia University

Research Interests: Jones examines the intersection of political theory and empirical practice, with a focus on state-led citizen-building initiatives, gender dynamics in authoritarian contexts, and the effects of media narratives on political action. Her work combines qualitative fieldwork with experimental methods to challenge conventional assumptions about tolerance, legitimacy, and governance.

Publications: Her book Bedouins into Bourgeois: Remaking Citizens for Globalization (Cambridge, 2017) analyzes UAE social engineering efforts. Recent articles address gender bias in MENA surveys, the impact of dystopian fiction on radicalization, and the paradoxical role of experts in authoritarian decision-making.

Awards & Recognition:

• Recipient of the Gates Scholarship (University of Cambridge)
• Citations in Science, New Yorker, New York Times, and Foreign Affairs

Teaching: Courses include comparative politics, Middle East governance, and international relations. Recent courses: GVPT459Y (Seminar in Comparative Politics), GVPT200 (International Political Relations), and GVPT459E (Comparative Politics of the Middle East).

Labs & Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on gender studies, experimental political science, and Middle East policy analysis. Active in the Arab World Research Network and the Security Studies Group at UMD.