Overview
David A Siegel (Stanford Ph.D., 2006) is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy. His research addresses the theoretical determinants of collective action in the contexts of political violence and terrorism, elections, and opinion and identity formation. He has published in journals such as the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, and Journal of Politics, and is the coauthor of A Behavioral Theory of Elections and A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research, both from Princeton University Press. Prior to coming to Duke, he was on faculty at Florida State University.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Political Science
·
2019 - Present
Political Science,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy
·
2019 - Present
Sanford School of Public Policy
Recent Publications
Measurement That Matches Theory: Theory-Driven Identification in Item Response Theory Models
Journal Article American Political Science Review · May 1, 2025 Measurement is the weak link between theory and empirical test. Complex concepts such as ideology, identity, and legitimacy are difficult to measure; yet, without measurement that matches theoretical constructs, careful empirical studies may not be testing ... Full text CiteDiplomatic Statements and the Strategic Use of Terrorism in Civil Wars
Journal Article Journal of Conflict Resolution · February 1, 2025 How does third-party diplomatic and material support affect rebel groups’ use of terrorism in civil wars? We argue via a game-theoretic model that diplomatic support prompts prospective shifts in rebel tactics, from civilian to military targets, in anticip ... Full text CiteThe Costs of Collective Action: An Experimental Study of Risk, Punishment, and Immunity
Journal Article Journal of Politics · January 1, 2025 Despite the centrality of collective action to the social sciences, we know relatively little as to how individuals process uncertain future costs of participation. We offer a formal model of collective action that incorporates punishment: with some probab ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute - Duke University
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEFaculty Member · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2025 - 2028Theory-Based Measurement of Varieties of Power Using a Novel Semi-supervised IRT Model
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2022 - 2025Ralph Bunche Summer Institute-2019
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECourse Faculty · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2019 - 2025View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Stanford University ·
2006
Ph.D.