Daniel Masterson

Daniel Masterson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a faculty affiliate at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP), Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), Immigration Policy Lab (IPL), UCSB Migration Initiative, and the UCSB Center for Middle East Studies. His research focuses on migration, displacement, and humanitarian policy in the Middle East.

Education includes:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University (2018)
• Master in Public Policy (M.P.P.) from Harvard University (2011)
• B.A. in Political Science from Bates College (2006)

Masterson's research examines the intersection of conflict, migration, and policy interventions, with emphasis on refugee decision-making, humanitarian aid effectiveness, and social cohesion in post-conflict settings. His work employs mixed methods including large-scale surveys, field experiments, and network analysis to address pressing issues in forced displacement.

His publications reveal consistent themes: refugee resilience strategies, the impact of policy shocks on migration, and methodological innovations in conflict-zone research. Recent work emphasizes survey methodology refinement, economic recovery in displacement contexts, and the politicization of migration.

Research has been funded by:

• National Science Foundation
• J-PAL
• Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP)
• Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)
• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
• World Bank

He directs field projects through affiliations with J-PAL, CEGA, and IPL, often involving interdisciplinary teams studying refugee policy impacts across Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.