Megan Shannon

Megan Shannon's research explores how international institutions influence human and interstate security. It builds from the premise that international and civil violence occur because relevant political actors cannot commit to ceasing violent behavior. She shows that international law and organizations help actors overcome commitment problems, forgo the use of violence, and reach peaceful settlements. Her recent work on UN peacekeeping has been published in the American Journal of Political Science and is forthcoming in the American Political Science Review. Shannon received a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 2005.