I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Experimental and Behavioral Economics (EEG) group at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods. Prior to this position I was a Ph.D. candidate at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, where my advisors were David K. Levine and Thomas F. Crossley.
I am an applied micro-economist specializing in development economics and political economy, with a focus on the intricate relationships between conflict, human development, and institutional resilience. My research aims to deepen our understanding of how conflict shapes economic and social outcomes, providing insights that inform policies to support communities in fragile and conflict-affected settings. My work spans two interrelated themes:
Conflict and Individual-Level Outcomes
I examine how different forms of conflict—ranging from insurgencies to localized disputes—affect micro-economic outcomes at the individual and household levels. My research emphasizes the ideological, social, and economic dimensions of conflict, including the following areas:
Education and Conflict: In my study on territorial occupation in North East Nigeria by Boko Haram, I investigate how insurgent activities influence schooling outcomes. Using a difference-in-differences approach, I highlight how social identity, peer effects, and violent enforcement exacerbate educational disparities.
Religious Violence and Ideology: My ongoing work explores how exposure to violence by religiously affiliated groups affects individual alignment with the ideologies of perpetrators, investigating mechanisms like social identity theory and intimidation.
Income Shocks and Fragility: Through analyses of income fluctuations in conflict settings, such as coca cultivation in Colombia, I demonstrate how economic incentives influence violence and educational outcomes. This research provides critical insights into the complex dynamics of fragility and development in conflict zones.
Food Security and Violence: I analyze the local effects of international food price shocks on food security and how these dynamics interplay with violence. This work sheds light on the critical linkages between economic vulnerability, violence, and long-term human development.
Conflict and Political Economy
My research also delves into the broader political economy of conflict, exploring how violence and political instability shape democratic processes and institutional resilience:
Democracy and Conflict: I investigate the heterogeneity in democratic support and electoral participation across age groups, linking these trends to experiences of violent conflict. I also examine the paradox of repression, analyzing how protest outcomes and governmental responses vary across different contexts.
Social Cohesion and Governance: My work emphasizes the role of social identity and cohesion during conflict, contributing to the growing literature on the non-violent dimensions of conflict, such as rebel governance and ideological shifts.
Contact
stoelinga[at]coll.mpg.de