Carolyn Logan

Carolyn Logan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University (MSU) and Director of the Afrobarometer, a leading survey initiative analyzing African democracy and governance. She holds affiliations with MSU’s African Studies Center and has been with the Afrobarometer since 2001. Her research focuses on democratization processes, political development in Africa (especially East Africa and the Horn), and the role of traditional institutions in state-building. She has conducted extensive fieldwork across Southern and Eastern Africa, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Somaliland.

Her work emphasizes citizen attitudes toward governance, electoral processes, and the interplay between traditional and modern political systems. Notable contributions include studies on public trust in institutions, gender equity, and the impact of decentralization reforms. Logan’s academic background includes a PhD in International Relations from Tufts University’s Fletcher School (2002).

Her publications span journals like African Affairs and Comparative Political Studies, with a focus on Afrobarometer data to assess democratic quality and citizen priorities. Recent research highlights themes of interethnic trust, environmental governance, and the demand for accountability in African states.

Logan’s scholarly efforts bridge academic research with policy impact through collaborative projects like Afrobarometer’s policy briefs, which inform governance reforms across 20+ African nations. Her work underscores the importance of citizen voices in shaping democratic trajectories and developmental outcomes.