Kristen Elizabeth Aanstoos

Dr. Aanstoos is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), and affiliate of the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). She researches the role of women and gender in peace processes and political and security outcomes in post-conflict states. Her current book project, based on her dissertation, examines the effects of different types of women's participation in peace processes on women's political empowerment in post-conflict states. Her other research interests include the Women, Peace, and Security agenda; peace processes and conflict resolution; gender and politics; gender and conflict; international security; international negotiations; diplomacy; military learning; and East Asian Security. Dr. Aanstoos's research has been supported by the Kugelman Citizen Peacebuilding Research Fellowship, the Institute for Humane Studies Fellowship, and a University of California Office of the President grant.

Dr. Aanstoos has a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of California, Irvinea, an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development from King's College London, and a BSFS in International Politics from Georgetown University. Previously, she worked as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, where she served in Hong Kong, Doha, and Washington, DC.

PhD: University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA, 2024 (Political Science)

MA: King's College London London, UK, 2009 (Conflict, Security, and Development)

BSFS: Georgetown University Washington, DC, 2007 (International Politics)

Women, Peace, and Security
Peace processes
Women's rights
Conflict resolution
Peacebuilding
Human security
International security
Feminist international relations
Military learning
Diplomacy
East Asian security

08-2024 -To Present Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

10-2022 -01-2023 Lecturer, Department of Politics, Administration, and Justice, California State University - Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

01-2010 -09-2018 Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC

09-2009 -12-2009 Researcher, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

10-2008 -09-2009 Research Analyst, International Centre for Security Analysis, King's College London, London, UK

01-2019 -06-2024 Teaching Assistant, College of Social Science, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, CA

06-2019 -06-2021 Graduate Student Researcher, Department of Political Science, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, CA

Peer Reviewed Publications

A. Cosby, Kristen Aanstoos, Marissa S. Matta, J. Porter, W. James (2013. ) Public support for Hispanic deportation in the United States: the effects of ethnic prejudice and perceptions of economic competition in a period of economic distress.Journal of Population Research, , 30 ,87 -96More Information

Kristen Aanstoos, Heidi Hardt (2024. ) Selective Learning: Why Militaries Adopt Lessons but Leave Others Behind in Multilateral Operations .

Book Chapter

Kristen Aanstoos (2021 ) Hidden Economic Costs of Geopolitical Disputes for Supply Chains in East Asia Global Supply Chains, Geopolitics, and Trade Wars .(pp. 96 -114).Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (Author)

2023 -2024 Humane Studies Fellowship Institute for Humane Studies Status:Recipient Type:Grant

2023 Kenneth E. Boulding Award Best graduate student paper presented at a Peace Studies panel ISA Peace Studies Section Status:Recipient Type:Recognition

2021 -2024 Kugelman Research Fellowship Center for Citizen Peacebuilding Status:Recipient Type:Grant

2018 -2024 Merit Fellowship University of California - Irvine Status:Recipient Type:Fellowship

2018 Graduate Dean's Recruitment Fellowship University of California - Irvine Status:Recipient Type:Fellowship

2015 Meritorious Honor Award Department of State Status:Recipient Type:Recognition

2015 Group Meritorious Honor Award Department of State Status:Recipient Type:Recognition

2012 Group Meritorious Honor Award Department of State Status:Recipient Type:Recognition

2012 Franklin Award Department of State Status:Recipient Type:Recognition

Academic - 5111 Clifton Court Hall
Phone: 513-556-3392
kristen.aanstoos@uc.edu