Paula Cecilia Pineda
Department of Political Science
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204
Phone: (832)335-3504
Email: paulapineda1@gmail.com
Education
Ph.D., Department of Political Science, University of Houston, expected Fall 2015.
M.A., Department of Political Science, University of Houston, 2012.
B.A. (Cum Laude, General Honors), English Literature and Spanish Literature, Houston
Baptist University, 2008.
Publications
Book Chapters
Pineda, Paula Cecilia. Forthcoming. “The Kurdish Issue on the US Foreign Policy
Agenda: Shifting Priorities, Competing Considerations.” In Alex Danilovich
(ed.), The Kurdish Card in the Middle East. London: Ashgate.
Dissertation
“Deconstructed Decentralization and Ethnic Conflict: The Impact of Political, Fiscal, and
Administrative Decentralization.”
This study extends the concept of decentralization beyond federalism and includes
political, fiscal, and administrative spheres. Drawing from cross-national data, the
findings indicate that decentralization’s impact on conflict varies across institution and
conflict type. These dynamics are presented within the case of Iraq.
Dissertation Committee: Ryan Kennedy (chair), Tanya Bagashka, Patrick Shea, Kristin
Bakke.
Primary Works in Progress
Pineda, Paula Cecilia. “Delegation design: the nature and extent of Iraqi Kurdistan’s
decentralization trajectory.”
Pineda, Paula Cecilia. “Local letdown: institutional weakness and the impact on local
politics in Baltimore.”
Pineda, Paula Cecilia. “Administrative decentralization and ethnic conflict: the
importance of the local.”
Pineda, Paula Cecilia. “Convictions for governance: the role of God, the state, and the
ummah across Islamic theological thought.”
Research and Teaching Interests
Comparative Politics: ethnic conflict, decentralization, federalism, institutions,
democratization, political economy, identity, Kurdish politics, Turkish politics.
International Relations: intervention in internal conflict.
Political Theory: religion and politics, pluralism, communitarianism, identity, democratic
theory.
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Conference Papers and Presentations
“Deconstructing decentralization: what matters?”: Presented at the 2015 Southern
Political Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
“Administrative decentralization and ethnic conflict: the importance of the local.”
Presented at the 2015 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago,
IL.
“Deconstructed decentralization in Kurdistan: Assessing different decentralization types
in the Iraqi federal trajectory.” Presented at the 2015 University of Kurdistan-Hewler
Conference, Erbil, Iraq.
Invited Presentations
“Short course in Academic Writing for All Disciplines.” University of Kurdistan-Hewler,
Erbil, Iraq. 2015.
“Deconstructed decentralization in Kurdistan: Assessing different decentralization types
in the Iraqi federal trajectory.” University of Kurdistan-Hewler, Erbil, Iraq. 2015.
Media Appearances
Rudaw Media Network (Rudaw).
Pre-recorded interview for nightly program entitled “8’o clock.”
Interview by Shaho Amin on federalism, decentralization, and American policy in the
Kurdistan context.
Broadcast Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
Rudaw Media Network (Rudaw).
Live interview for special live coverage of Turkish elections.
Broadcast Sunday, June 7, 2015.
Professional Memberships
American Political Science Association
Southern Political Science Association
Midwest Political Science Association
Employment
Private Tutor/Academic Consultant: Greater Houston Area. 2008-present.
Teaching Assistant: University of Houston, 2012-2013.
Instructor: Cannakale Onsekiz Mart University, Cannakale, Turkey, summer 2013.
Research Assistant: University of Houston, 2010-2011.
English Instructor: Berlitz/University of St. Thomas, Houston, 2008-2009.
Teacher: Fort Bend Independent School District, 2008.
Instructor: Kaplan Test Preparation, Houston, 2007-2009.
Certifications
ESL Instruction, Cultural Center for Language Studies (CCLS)
Community Service and Activities
Fundraising Officer, (Interfaith) Dialog Institute of the Southwest
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Member, Internations
Member, World Affairs Council Houston
Languages
Spanish(fluent); Turkish(beginner)
Programming Languages
Stata, R
Additional Skills
Public speaking; Motivational speaking; Classical flute
Additional Educational Experience
Core law courses, Baylor Law School, 2009.
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