Kai Thaler

Kai M. Thaler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with affiliations in Political Science, Latin American and Iberian Studies, and the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC). He previously served as a non-resident Fellow at the Centre for the Comparative Study of Civil War at the University of York and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy, University of Denver.

• Ph.D. in Government, Harvard University (2018)
• M.A. in Government, Harvard University
• M.Soc.Sc. in Sociology, University of Cape Town
• B.A. in Political Science, Yale University

Thaler's research explores how rebel groups' ideologies and organizational structures influence post-victory statebuilding, public service provision, and political violence. He analyzes historical cases in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, focusing on themes like mass killings, regime change, and development challenges. His work emphasizes qualitative and mixed methods, addressing methodological challenges in studying violent settings.

His recent articles examine ideological continuity in rebel governance, ethical AI development from Black archives, and the interplay of power and temporality in armed group studies. These works span conflict resolution, state-armed group dynamics, and the ethical implications of technology in post-conflict societies.

• 2025 PEACE Emerging Scholar Award, International Studies Association

Thaler's research has received funding from the National Science Foundation, Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, and Hellman Fellows Fund. He actively engages public debates through media contributions to outlets like Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, and Al Jazeera, while supporting Nicaraguan asylum seekers and analyzing authoritarian practices in Latin America.