معرفی
Cesi Cruz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Economics. Her research examines political economy phenomena at the intersection of political science and economics, with fieldwork primarily conducted in Southeast Asia (Philippines and Cambodia).
Her research interests include:
- Political Economy and Development
- Social Network Analysis in Politics
- Elections and Electoral Behavior
- Field Experiments in Developing Countries
- Gender and Inclusive Development
- Clientelism and Public Goods Provision
- Information Effects and Misinformation
Analysis of her publication record shows consistent focus on social network effects in electoral contexts, particularly in the Philippines. Her work combines large-scale network data (including 20 million person datasets), field experiments, and survey research to examine how social structures influence political behavior, electoral outcomes, and development policy effectiveness. Recent work increasingly addresses gender dynamics in political influence and the interaction between information campaigns and voter behavior.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Best Conference Paper award from the Political Networks Section of the American Political Science Association
- Publications in top journals including American Political Science Review, American Economic Review, American Journal of Political Science, and Comparative Political Studies
Cruz actively supervises graduate students and has taught courses including Social Networks and Politics (PhD seminar), Institutions and Economic Growth, Politics and Development, and Policy Analysis. Her research has been supported by fieldwork in the Philippines and Cambodia, often involving collaboration with local institutions and international organizations like the World Bank. She maintains active engagement with policy communities through platforms like The Monkey Cage and VoxDev.
