Darin Christensen

Darin Christensen is an Associate Professor at the Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles. His research examines political economy, institutions, and policies promoting investment and reducing violence in developing regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Research Focus: Christensen's work lies at the intersection of development economics and conflict studies. He investigates how institutional frameworks and governance structures influence economic growth and stability in resource-rich environments. His methodological approach combines field experiments, natural experiments, and spatial analysis to address core questions in public policy and political economy.

Publications Overview: Recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate Christensen's focus on natural resources, conflict dynamics, and governance innovation. Key themes include: the impact of artisanal mining, conflict drivers in resource economies, citizen-led monitoring frameworks, and health system resilience. Methodologically, his work employs machine learning for geospatial analysis, meta-analytical techniques, and experimental designs across diverse contexts.