Jana Kissling
Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science · ETH Zürich
Welcome! I am a political scientist focusing on the transnational dynamics of identity, conflict, and peacebuilding.
In my research, I explore the role of transnational identity networks in shaping different forms of violence, including ethnic cleansing and election violence.
Using original geospatial data, causal inference, and mixed-methods tools, I study how these identities become politicized across borders, when ethnic groups become targets of violence, and how peacebuilding can foster reconciliation between groups divided by conflict.
My work has been published in International Peacekeeping, is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and involves collaborations with the Center for Security Studies (ETH Zurich), and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (Harvard University).
Projects
Cross-border ethnic ties and ethnic cleansing
Why do some ethnic groups face a greater risk of ethnic cleansing? This article examines how political exclusion and cross-border ties shape governments’ incentives for forced removal.
Political and economic consequences of ethnic cleansing
How does ethnic cleansing affect local communities in areas from which groups are displaced? This article examines the economic and political consequences of ethnic cleansing using satellite imagery and geo-located survey data in Africa.
GeoEFD
Geo-located data on ethnic cleansing in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia, 1990–2021.
Peacekeeping withdrawal and violence during elections
While existing research has examined the effects of peacekeeper deployment, we know less about the local consequences of their withdrawal. This article examines how the phased withdrawal of UN peacekeepers affects violence during volatile election times.
Political power and peacekeeping protection
How do ethnic inequalities shape peacekeepers’ ability to protect civilians? This project examines whether perpetrators with exclusive access to government power constrain UN mission's activities to protect civilians from ethnic one-sided violence.