His research examines the effects of risk and shocks in developing countries with a focus on the effects of crime and conflict. Much of his work focuses on separating the effects of insecurity and exposure to violence on livelihoods, political participation and post-conflict behaviour. In related work of criminality, he examines the economic effects of electing criminally accused politicians. He earned a Ph.D in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University, an M.A. in International and Development Economics from Yale University, and a B.A. (Honors) from Swarthmore College.