Research Interests

My research straddles the subfields of international relations and comparative politics, or more specifically the fields of political economy and security studies. I am most interested in the ways global capital influences and reacts to instances of political violence. Using quantitative methods, I primarily investigate questions focused on the political economy of the repression-dissent nexus, in particular questions relating to the effectiveness of human rights organization naming and shaming campaigns, the consequences of electoral violence, and how revenue shocks impact respect for human rights. In short, I am most interested in the economic causes and consequences of government misbehaviour.

Additionally, as an undergrad at the time of the Great Recession, I have an enduring interest in sovereign credit rating, debt, and default, and I maintain a few ongoing research projects investigating the relationship between institutions and sovereign default.

Peer Reviewed Publications:

Bagwell, S., Rains, M., & LaVelle, M. (2023). Of One’s Own Making: Leadership Legitimation Strategy and Human Rights. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00220027231220006 (Accepted Version)

Bagwell, S., Mark, S., LaVelle, M. et al. Union Rights and Inequalities. Hum Rights Rev 24, 465–483 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-023-00706-3. Free Link

Bagwell, S. Repudiation and Repression: The Human Costs of Sovereign Default. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12, 121. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030121 (open access)

“The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Human Rights Practices: Findings from the Human Rights Measurement Initiative’s 2021 Practitioner Survey” with K. Chad Clay, Mennah Abdelwahab, Morgan Jane Barney, Tori Hawley, Thalia Rowden, Meridith Lavelle, Asia Parker, and Matthew Rains, Journal of Human Rights¸ forthcoming

“Risky Business: Foreign Direct Investment and the Economic Consequences of Electoral Violence” with Austin Doctor, Journal of Global Security Studies (RiskyBusiness2019JoGSS)

“Worth the Risk? HRO Shaming and Sovereign Credit Rating” with Shelby Hall, Journal of Human Rights
(Publicity and Perceptions of Risk)

Submitted Manuscripts:

“Women’s Rights and Sovereign Credit Rating” (with K. Anne Watson)

“Remittances and Electoral Contestations” (with Bora Jeong)

“Personalism and Out-Group Repression: “The Impacts on LGTBQ+ Rights” (with Milo Thompson, UMSL MA in Political Science)

“Introducing the SCIP Dataset- IMF Programs, Policy Conditionality, and Compliance” (with Skip Mark)

“IMF Programs, Remittances, and Protest” (with Skip Mark, Ashlea Rundlett, and Andrew Foote)

“Rebel Victory and Post-Conflict Sexual Violence” (with DeAnne Roark)

“Money with a Mean(er) Streak?” (with Rachael Carpenter and Lexi Leera, UMSL MA students)

“Naming, Shaming, and African Growth and Opportunity Act Termination” (with Meridith LaVelle and Travis Curtice)

“What Can We Learn from the Chinese Reports on Human Rights Violations in the United States?” (with Ashley Alexander, UMSL BSPPA graduate and MA in Communications student)

“Environmental Naming and Shaming and Divestment: Do firms care about the environment or reputation costs?” (with Rachael Carpenter, UMSL MA in Political Science and Ashley Alexander)

Working Projects:

“Collective Labor Rights, the Reduction of Inequality, and Domestic Conflict”

“Collective Labor Rights, Compliance with IMF Conditionality, and Respecting, Protecting, and Fulfilling Human Rights”

“Inequality and Ill-Treatment” (with Danny Hill)

“Sovereign Credit and the Economic Consequences of Election Violence”

“Politics After War: Rebel to Party Transformation and Electoral Violence” (with Austin Doctor)

“Naming, Shaming, and AGOA Termination” (with Meridith LaVelle and Travis Curtice)

“Personalism and Economic and Social Rights” (with Matthew Rains and Meridith LaVelle)

“Multinationals and the Conflict Trap” (with Austin Doctor)