Dorothy Kronick

Dorothy Kronick is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University, an M.A. in Economics from Stanford, and a B.A. in Latin American Studies (Summa Cum Laude) from Northwestern University. Her research focuses on electoral politics, political violence, and Latin American governance, with a particular emphasis on Venezuela’s political and economic crises. She has authored groundbreaking studies on electoral fraud, state vigilantism, and the implications of dual exchange rates in authoritarian regimes.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Political Science, Stanford University (2016)
  • M.A. in Economics, Stanford University (2013)
  • B.A. in Latin American Studies, Northwestern University (2006)

Research Interests: Dr. Kronick examines how institutions shape political behavior and outcomes in authoritarian and transitional regimes. Her work emphasizes electoral integrity, violence in illegal markets, and the interplay between economic policies and political stability. She has conducted field experiments in Colombia and Venezuela, analyzing community policing and participatory interventions.

Grants & Awards: She has received grants from Economic Development and Institutions (2017), Evidence in Governance and Politics (2017), and the Gerald J. Lieberman Fellowship (2014). Her work has been recognized through awards such as the Political Analysis Outstanding Reviewer Award (2014) and the World Bank Best Practices Award (2010).

Teaching: She teaches courses on statistical analysis for political science (PSCI 692), the U.S.-Latin American relationship (PSCI 250), and the politics of the drug war (PSCI 010-402).

Service: She has served on the University of Pennsylvania’s Undergraduate Committee and co-convened workshops on comparative politics and empirical political science. Her research has informed policy debates on electoral reform and democratic accountability in Venezuela and beyond.