Teaching/Research

Eric Schoon's research is primarily motivated by theoretical questions surrounding the assignment and consequences of cultural classifications. This focus is reflected in his research on legitimacy, which examines how legitimacy and illegitimacy are evaluated, established, and invoked, and how these classifications affect socially significant outcomes.

He explores these questions through the study of contentious politics, and within this context pursues research questions that are more substantive in nature. For example, he has published research examining why armed conflicts recur, the social and contextual factors that influence counter-state organizations’ behaviors, and the unintended consequences of legal activism. A current project examines the factors influencing whether violent political groups are classified as "terrorists" in media coverage of their activities.

Faculty Links

Curriculum Vitae
Department web page

Mershon Project

Rethinking the Prediction of Rare Events to Aid Decisional Processes that Affect Security, with David Melamed (2016-17)