Rand Blimes

Rand Blimes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, where he has served since 2009 and currently holds the position of Program Lead for the Political Science Department. He actively contributes to university governance through roles on the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity initiative.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2008
• B.A. in History (with high honors), University of Michigan, 2003

Blimes specializes in International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Methodology, with concentrated research on international conflict dynamics, leadership tenure determinants, ethnic heterogeneity impacts, and political economy mechanisms. His methodological approach emphasizes quantitative analysis of large datasets to examine how domestic political expectations and international crises influence state behavior and leadership stability, particularly in conflict-prone regions.

His scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on political violence and leadership dynamics, evidenced by publications including a 2011 chapter analyzing international conflict's relationship with leadership tenure and a 2006 Journal of Conflict Resolution article establishing ethnic heterogeneity's indirect effect on civil war onset. These works bridge theoretical international relations frameworks with empirical conflict analysis, revealing patterns in crisis decision-making and conflict escalation.

Blimes has received significant recognition for his contributions:

• Faculty Recognition Award (2011, 2015) from Brigham Young University–Hawaii
• Fall 2010 Laureate Speaker (2010) from the College of Business, Computing and Government, BYUH
• Graduate Part-Time Instructor Teaching Excellence Award (2007) from the University of Colorado

He has mentored over 40 undergraduate research projects presented at national conferences, covering diverse topics from political polarization to international development. His advising extends to international experiential learning through student trips to G-20 meetings in India and UN summits in Thailand, alongside guidance for political science honors society Pi Sigma Alpha and development-focused Enactus program.

Blimes maintains active engagement with university infrastructure through the Political Science Department Assessment Committee and Religious Freedom initiative, while developing innovative programs like BYUH's first semester-abroad in Thailand. His service integrates academic rigor with community impact through homeless advocacy work and intercultural understanding initiatives.