Tara Slough

Tara Slough is an Assistant Professor in the Wilf Family Department of Politics at New York University. She holds a Ph.D., MPhil, and MA from Columbia University, and a dual BA/BM in Political Science and Violin Performance from Rice University. Her work focuses on political economy, development, bureaucracy, and research design, with emphasis on comparative politics and methodological rigor.

Her research investigates how institutions shape development outcomes, particularly through studies of bureaucratic systems and electoral accountability. Supported by grants from NSF, USAID, EGAP/DFID, J-PAL, and IPA, her work appears in top journals like the American Journal of Political Science and Science. Recent articles address external validity, policing oversight, and decentralized data challenges.

• Key affiliations: NYU College of Arts & Science, Wilf Family Department of Politics
• Professional background includes violin performance and EGAP predoctoral fellowship

Her research integrates field experiments and quantitative methods to analyze governance challenges in developing nations. Current projects examine bureaucratic quality, electoral systems, and the impact of oversight mechanisms on public service delivery.