Lauren Young

Lauren Young is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Davis, and Director of Graduate Studies. She co-directs the UC Davis Contentious Politics Lab with Juan Tellez. Her research focuses on political violence and collective action, particularly election violence dynamics in Zimbabwe and vigilante responses to crime in Mexico. Methodologically, she pioneers the use of WhatsApp for data collection in conflict zones and develops ethical research frameworks for violent contexts.

Her work integrates experimental methods with field research, emphasizing reproducibility and transparency. Key affiliations include Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP), the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), and the Future of Democracy Initiative at UC IGCC. Recent research explores party strength’s role in election violence and citizen responses to crime through anger-driven mobilization.

Her publications span 2021–2025, addressing topics like repressive governance, electoral clientelism, and conflict resolution strategies in authoritarian settings. She advocates for methodological innovation in politically sensitive environments while maintaining rigorous ethical standards.