About Elizabeth Wellman

Dr. Wellman joined the Department of Political Science in 2023. She teaches courses on Comparative Politics, Democratic Erosion, Migration and Citizenship, Social Movements, and African Politics. Her research explores how international migration is reshaping electoral politics and citizenship practices, particularly within sub-Saharan Africa.

Research Interests:

Migration and Citizenship, Comparative Politics of the Global South, Democratization, International Organizations, African Politics, Urban Politics

Education:

Ph.D. with Departmental and University Distinction, Political Science, Yale University, 2019; M.A. with Honors, International Relations, University of Chicago, 2010; A.B. with Honors, Public Policy Studies, Duke University, 2002

Sample Publications:

• Wellman, Elizabeth Iams, Allen, Nathan, & Nyblade, Benjamin (2023). The extraterritorial voting rights and restrictions dataset (1950–2020). Comparative Political Studies, 56(6), 897-929.
• Wellman, Elizabeth Iams (2023). Refugee status as a patronage good? The interaction of transnational party mobilization and migration policy in the global south. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 49(10), 2500-2520.
• Herman, Biz, Amma Panin, Elizabeth Iams Wellman, et al. (2022). "Field experiments in the global south: Assessing risks, localizing benefits, and addressing positionality." PS: Political Science & Politics 55, no. 4: 769-772.
• Nyblade, Benjamin, Wellman, Elizabeth Iams, & Allen, Nathan (2022). Transnational voting rights and policies in violent democracies: a global comparison. Comparative Migration Studies, 10(1), 1-20.
• Wellman, Elizabeth Iams (2021). Emigrant inclusion in home country elections: Theory and evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. American Political Science Review, 115(1), 82-96.
• Wellman, Elizabeth Iams, and Beth Elise Whitaker (2021). "Diaspora voting in Kenya: A promise denied." African Affairs 120, no. 479 (2021): 199-217.

Experience

Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Memphis (Fall 2023 to present), Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science, Williams College (Summer 2020 to Summer 2023), Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University (Fall 2019 to Summer 2020), Research Affiliate, African Centre for Migration and Society, University of the Witswatersrand (Winter 2021 to present), Documentary Producer (2001 – 2008)