Nicole Wilson

Nicole Wilson is a sixth-year doctoral student in Political Science at MIT, concurrently serving as a Teaching Fellow and Teaching Development Fellow. Her research focuses on the political behavior of Nigeria's emerging middle class, particularly their shift to gated communities and implications for democratic norms in urbanizing Global South contexts. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Lagos, analyzing land tenure systems, tax compliance, and political engagement.

Education includes a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Georgia, an MA in Justice, Law, and Society from American University, and doctoral studies at MIT. Her work bridges urban politics, African political economy, and governance, supported by MIT's Governance Lab (GOV/LAB).

Research highlights include examining how private service provision in gated estates affects tax compliance and political participation, challenging assumptions about middle-class democratization. Her findings reveal counterintuitive patterns where enclave residents pay higher taxes despite dissatisfaction with public services, attributed to estate managers' roles as intermediaries and improved state legibility.

Teaching contributions include experiential ethics courses and methodological training. She aims to pursue a career combining research and teaching at a liberal arts institution.