Mara Revkin
@mararevkin.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Law & Political Science @Duke. Conflict, migration, peacebuilding, transitional justice & humanitarian/development aid. Nonresident @carnegiedcg.bsky.social. Rhymes w/ @jonpetkun.bsky.social. Web: https://law.duke.edu/fac/revkin
Very excited to be co-hosting with @dotanhaim.bsky.social & @meganastewart.bsky.social the Multi-Method Conflict Consortium (M2C2) Mini-Conference at Duke May 15-16! PhD candidates & postdoctoral fellows are invited to apply for our Junior Fellowship. Apply here by Mar. 10: forms.gle/Vy6h53639F8B...
February 12, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Very excited to be co-hosting with @dotanhaim.bsky.social & @meganastewart.bsky.social the Multi-Method Conflict Consortium (M2C2) Mini-Conference at Duke May 15-16! PhD candidates & postdoctoral fellows are invited to apply for our Junior Fellowship. Apply here by Mar. 10: forms.gle/Vy6h53639F8B...
Important reading from @saskiabr.bsky.social on threats to women's rights in the context of democratic backsliding: "...Antidemocratic actors intentionally use gender to polarize the public and delegitimize broader human rights and equality norms." @carnegiedcg.bsky.social
“The world is more than a decade into a prolonged democratic recession, and the space for women to organize for political change is shrinking across all regions,” writes Saskia Brechenmacher.
How to Save the Fight for Women’s Rights
The backlash against democracy calls for new strategies.
fam.ag
January 8, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Important reading from @saskiabr.bsky.social on threats to women's rights in the context of democratic backsliding: "...Antidemocratic actors intentionally use gender to polarize the public and delegitimize broader human rights and equality norms." @carnegiedcg.bsky.social
Reposted by Mara Revkin
You can read my take on Trump's illegal invasion of Venezuela here: www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
www.newyorker.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:02 PM
You can read my take on Trump's illegal invasion of Venezuela here: www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Reposted by Mara Revkin
🆕South Sudan is one of the most fragile states—but that fragility varies subnationally
@gabriellalevy2.bsky.social and @mararevkin.bsky.social led a Duke University team to create the Fragility Index, mapping this variation
Their @iom.int report shows how this novel index can inform recovery⤵️
@gabriellalevy2.bsky.social and @mararevkin.bsky.social led a Duke University team to create the Fragility Index, mapping this variation
Their @iom.int report shows how this novel index can inform recovery⤵️
southsudan.iom.int
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
🆕South Sudan is one of the most fragile states—but that fragility varies subnationally
@gabriellalevy2.bsky.social and @mararevkin.bsky.social led a Duke University team to create the Fragility Index, mapping this variation
Their @iom.int report shows how this novel index can inform recovery⤵️
@gabriellalevy2.bsky.social and @mararevkin.bsky.social led a Duke University team to create the Fragility Index, mapping this variation
Their @iom.int report shows how this novel index can inform recovery⤵️
I appreciate @nytimes reporting on this often-forgotten crisis in Syria, but the article makes a common mistake: conflating 2 *VERY* different populations & sites:
• (1) ISIS combatants in prisons
• (2) civilians, mostly children, in humanitarian "closed camps" ... [thread 1/6]
• (1) ISIS combatants in prisons
• (2) civilians, mostly children, in humanitarian "closed camps" ... [thread 1/6]
December 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I appreciate @nytimes reporting on this often-forgotten crisis in Syria, but the article makes a common mistake: conflating 2 *VERY* different populations & sites:
• (1) ISIS combatants in prisons
• (2) civilians, mostly children, in humanitarian "closed camps" ... [thread 1/6]
• (1) ISIS combatants in prisons
• (2) civilians, mostly children, in humanitarian "closed camps" ... [thread 1/6]
Reposted by Mara Revkin
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts
Brooke Nichols has launched online tracking tools that capture estimated increases in mortality and disease spread for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases as a result of the near-total...
www.bu.edu
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
ICYMI in a very bad news week: On 9/9, Israel ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City; aside from clear violations of international law, this powerful visual story @josh-h.bsky.social shows how residents have nowhere to go: www.nytimes.com/interactive/... See also: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
September 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ICYMI in a very bad news week: On 9/9, Israel ordered a complete evacuation of Gaza City; aside from clear violations of international law, this powerful visual story @josh-h.bsky.social shows how residents have nowhere to go: www.nytimes.com/interactive/... See also: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Intentional starvation of civilians as a method of war is always a war crime. Non-reciprocity of international humanitarian law means that no amount of alleged aid diversion by Hamas could ever justify this. Horrifying but necessary reading, see also: www.btselem.org/sites/defaul... (1+ year ago)
July 25, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Intentional starvation of civilians as a method of war is always a war crime. Non-reciprocity of international humanitarian law means that no amount of alleged aid diversion by Hamas could ever justify this. Horrifying but necessary reading, see also: www.btselem.org/sites/defaul... (1+ year ago)
Reposted by Mara Revkin
We're announcing our Fall 2025 call for applications! Deadline to apply is August 14, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
📢 CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS | Junior Scholars in Quantitative Conflict Workshop Fall 2025
PhD students, postdocs & junior faculty: Present your research/practice job talk!
🗓️ Virtual: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1pm ET
📝 Deadline: Aug 14
Application below:
#PoliSci #polisky #JobMarket #ConflictStudies
PhD students, postdocs & junior faculty: Present your research/practice job talk!
🗓️ Virtual: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1pm ET
📝 Deadline: Aug 14
Application below:
#PoliSci #polisky #JobMarket #ConflictStudies
Junior Scholars in Quantitative Conflict Workshop Submission
We are now accepting submissions for the Fall 2025 sessions of the Junior Scholars in Quantitative Conflict Workshop! This virtual workshop provides a supportive space for junior scholars (PhD candida...
iu.co1.qualtrics.com
July 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
We're announcing our Fall 2025 call for applications! Deadline to apply is August 14, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
🚨FYI Search Committees!
The extraordinarily talented and kind @benckrick.bsky.social will be on the political science job market soon-ish and some lucky department should hire him while you still can!
The extraordinarily talented and kind @benckrick.bsky.social will be on the political science job market soon-ish and some lucky department should hire him while you still can!
Our article on civilian harm and military legitimacy is now available at @iojournal.bsky.social. We believe it has timely implications for events playing out now in the Middle East and beyond.
From North Carolina to Northern Iraq, working with Jon and Mara has been a truly rewarding experience!
From North Carolina to Northern Iraq, working with Jon and Mara has been a truly rewarding experience!
Excited to share a new open-access article with @benckrick.bsky.social @jonpetkun.bsky.social in @iojournal.bsky.social, "Civilian Harm & Military Legitimacy" www.cambridge.org/core/journal.... This project started in 2018 Mosul, Iraq’s 2nd largest city, in the aftermath of a 9-month battle … 1/7
July 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
🚨FYI Search Committees!
The extraordinarily talented and kind @benckrick.bsky.social will be on the political science job market soon-ish and some lucky department should hire him while you still can!
The extraordinarily talented and kind @benckrick.bsky.social will be on the political science job market soon-ish and some lucky department should hire him while you still can!
Excited to share a new open-access article with @benckrick.bsky.social @jonpetkun.bsky.social in @iojournal.bsky.social, "Civilian Harm & Military Legitimacy" www.cambridge.org/core/journal.... This project started in 2018 Mosul, Iraq’s 2nd largest city, in the aftermath of a 9-month battle … 1/7
July 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Excited to share a new open-access article with @benckrick.bsky.social @jonpetkun.bsky.social in @iojournal.bsky.social, "Civilian Harm & Military Legitimacy" www.cambridge.org/core/journal.... This project started in 2018 Mosul, Iraq’s 2nd largest city, in the aftermath of a 9-month battle … 1/7
Grateful for the opportunity to write with @oonahathaway.bsky.social & @azmatzahra.bsky.social + work with @yalelawjournal.bsky.social on "The Dangerous Rise of 'Dual-Use' Objects in War": www.yalelawjournal.org/article/the-.... More on data & methods here: dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
June 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Grateful for the opportunity to write with @oonahathaway.bsky.social & @azmatzahra.bsky.social + work with @yalelawjournal.bsky.social on "The Dangerous Rise of 'Dual-Use' Objects in War": www.yalelawjournal.org/article/the-.... More on data & methods here: dataverse.harvard.edu/dataset.xhtm...
Reposted by Mara Revkin
It's out!
The Dangerous Rise of "Dual-Use" Objects in War
Coauthored with @mararevkin.bsky.social and @azmatzahra.bsky.social.
We show that the targeting of dual-use objects over the last several decades has placed civilians at great risk.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The Dangerous Rise of "Dual-Use" Objects in War
Coauthored with @mararevkin.bsky.social and @azmatzahra.bsky.social.
We show that the targeting of dual-use objects over the last several decades has placed civilians at great risk.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
June 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
It's out!
The Dangerous Rise of "Dual-Use" Objects in War
Coauthored with @mararevkin.bsky.social and @azmatzahra.bsky.social.
We show that the targeting of dual-use objects over the last several decades has placed civilians at great risk.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The Dangerous Rise of "Dual-Use" Objects in War
Coauthored with @mararevkin.bsky.social and @azmatzahra.bsky.social.
We show that the targeting of dual-use objects over the last several decades has placed civilians at great risk.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Mara Revkin
We also have some great dynamic data visualizations (with links to the full dataset on Dataverse)!
Check them out here:
dualuse.law.yale.edu
Check them out here:
dualuse.law.yale.edu
June 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
We also have some great dynamic data visualizations (with links to the full dataset on Dataverse)!
Check them out here:
dualuse.law.yale.edu
Check them out here:
dualuse.law.yale.edu
Reposted by Mara Revkin
If you're starting law school this fall, you might be interested in my short essay, "How to Read a Legal Opinion: A Guide for New Law Students." You can download it for free here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
June 11, 2025 at 10:43 PM
If you're starting law school this fall, you might be interested in my short essay, "How to Read a Legal Opinion: A Guide for New Law Students." You can download it for free here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Must-read special issue in Dædalus (open-access!) on research ethics in the Middle East & North Africa by an extraordinary group of scholars covering threats to academic freedom, the politics & economics of knowledge production, disinformation, AI & much more: direct.mit.edu/daed/article....
May 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Must-read special issue in Dædalus (open-access!) on research ethics in the Middle East & North Africa by an extraordinary group of scholars covering threats to academic freedom, the politics & economics of knowledge production, disinformation, AI & much more: direct.mit.edu/daed/article....
Reposted by Mara Revkin
FYI: The Spencer Foundation, Kapor Foundation, The William T. Grant Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have collaborated to offer $25K rapid response grants.
"This rapid response bridge funding opportunity is for scholars and teams whose grants have recently been cancelled by NSF."
"This rapid response bridge funding opportunity is for scholars and teams whose grants have recently been cancelled by NSF."
Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program
In the face of recent abrupt shifts in federal funding for education research, including large-scale terminations of National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant awards, we have developed a rap...
www.spencer.org
May 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
FYI: The Spencer Foundation, Kapor Foundation, The William T. Grant Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have collaborated to offer $25K rapid response grants.
"This rapid response bridge funding opportunity is for scholars and teams whose grants have recently been cancelled by NSF."
"This rapid response bridge funding opportunity is for scholars and teams whose grants have recently been cancelled by NSF."
Terrible news and a setback for research on police violence against civilians and the many students supported by @sabrinamkarim.bsky.social's NSF grant. Follow @gsslab.bsky.social for more about her important work with the Gender and Security Sector Lab: www.sabrinamkarim.com/gsslab
April 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Terrible news and a setback for research on police violence against civilians and the many students supported by @sabrinamkarim.bsky.social's NSF grant. Follow @gsslab.bsky.social for more about her important work with the Gender and Security Sector Lab: www.sabrinamkarim.com/gsslab
Very excited about this new article by @jonpetkun.bsky.social & Joe Schottenfeld in the GW Law Review, "The Judicial Administrative Power"! Describes three functions of "nonadjudicatory activities" performed by federal courts: rulemaking, managing & communicating: www.gwlr.org/wp-content/u... 1/2
April 24, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Very excited about this new article by @jonpetkun.bsky.social & Joe Schottenfeld in the GW Law Review, "The Judicial Administrative Power"! Describes three functions of "nonadjudicatory activities" performed by federal courts: rulemaking, managing & communicating: www.gwlr.org/wp-content/u... 1/2
Reposted by Mara Revkin
Really proud of my new article with the extraordinary Joe Schottenfeld (coming to a job market near you in the not-too-distant future!). We consider the federal judiciary's vast "administrative" powers and offer a few modest ideas for reform. Read @ www.gwlr.org/the-judicial... (thank you editors!)
April 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Really proud of my new article with the extraordinary Joe Schottenfeld (coming to a job market near you in the not-too-distant future!). We consider the federal judiciary's vast "administrative" powers and offer a few modest ideas for reform. Read @ www.gwlr.org/the-judicial... (thank you editors!)
Reposted by Mara Revkin
As many of you know, staff at the US Institute of Peace (myself included) were fired en masse last Friday night.
It’s a tough beat -- my amazing colleagues deserve better.
It’s also not over, as USIP’s board is contesting the DOGE takeover in court.
1/
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
It’s a tough beat -- my amazing colleagues deserve better.
It’s also not over, as USIP’s board is contesting the DOGE takeover in court.
1/
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
DOGE fires nearly all staff at U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters
D.C. employees of the institute, founded and funded by Congress, received late-night termination notices, though most of its overseas staff were left in place.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As many of you know, staff at the US Institute of Peace (myself included) were fired en masse last Friday night.
It’s a tough beat -- my amazing colleagues deserve better.
It’s also not over, as USIP’s board is contesting the DOGE takeover in court.
1/
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
It’s a tough beat -- my amazing colleagues deserve better.
It’s also not over, as USIP’s board is contesting the DOGE takeover in court.
1/
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Mara Revkin
Inspired by calls to reimagine the space currently populated by international criminal law, Meg deGuzman's and my essay engages in feminist dreaming—that is, seeks to reimagine accountability as it could be, viewed through a feminist lens.
Now up @ssrn.bsky.social:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Now up @ssrn.bsky.social:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
March 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Inspired by calls to reimagine the space currently populated by international criminal law, Meg deGuzman's and my essay engages in feminist dreaming—that is, seeks to reimagine accountability as it could be, viewed through a feminist lens.
Now up @ssrn.bsky.social:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Now up @ssrn.bsky.social:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Congratulations @edebruin.bsky.social @gabriellalevy2.bsky.social, Livia Schubiger & @miweintraub83.bsky.social on this important contribution!
Just published on APSR First View: "Out-Competing Rivals: Armed Group Governance and Civilian Attitudes in Colombia" by Erica DeBruin, Gabriella Levy, Livia Schubiger and Michael Weintraub. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
February 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Congratulations @edebruin.bsky.social @gabriellalevy2.bsky.social, Livia Schubiger & @miweintraub83.bsky.social on this important contribution!
Grateful to the editors & reviewers @iojournal.bsky.social for a very constructive review process and conditional acceptance of "Civilian Harm & Military Legitimacy in War: Evidence from the Battle of Mosul in Iraq" with @benckrick.bsky.social @jonpetkun.bsky.social: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 12, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Grateful to the editors & reviewers @iojournal.bsky.social for a very constructive review process and conditional acceptance of "Civilian Harm & Military Legitimacy in War: Evidence from the Battle of Mosul in Iraq" with @benckrick.bsky.social @jonpetkun.bsky.social: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Mara Revkin
Thrilled to see my article -- showing how a private organization has shaped, and diluted, an international human rights norm -- in AJIL! It shows how a global sport governing body has responded to legal challenges by retrofitting 'gender equality' to align with exclusionary regulatory practices.
The January issue of AJIL is now available online! @michelekrech.bsky.social @hosungahn.bsky.social @monicahakimi.bsky.social @jkatzcogan.bsky.social @akinkugbe.bsky.social @asilorg.bsky.social @cambup-law.bsky.social www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
February 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Thrilled to see my article -- showing how a private organization has shaped, and diluted, an international human rights norm -- in AJIL! It shows how a global sport governing body has responded to legal challenges by retrofitting 'gender equality' to align with exclusionary regulatory practices.