Dr Allyson Benton

Biography

I am a Reader in the Department of Government at the University of Essex. A native of Southern California, I received my BA in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and my PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before joining Essex, I was a member of the Department of International Politics at City, University of London, as well as the Department of Political Studies at the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) in Mexico City. I have also been a visiting professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of São Paulo, Brazil and a visiting scholar in the Institute of Latin American Studies at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies in Hamburg, Germany. My academic research covers topics in both international and comparative political economy. Within international political economy, I examine the impact of politics on financial markets, most recently how politicians' social media statements affect the value and volatility of asset prices. Within comparative political economy, I examine the impact of politics on government fiscal policy decisions, with my most recent work examining how politicians' national career aspirations affect the fiscal policy choices of subnational governments. Both lines of research have been enriched by my long time working as Latin American political risk analyst and long time researching, living, and working in the region.

Qualifications

• PhD University of California Los Angeles,

• MA University of California Los Angeles,

• BA University of California, Berkeley,

Appointments

University of Essex

• Reader, Government, University of Essex (1/1/2022 - present)

• Research Ethics Officer, Government, University of Essex (1/1/2022 - present)

• Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (28/7/2021 - present)

Other academic

• Senior Lecturer, International Politics, City, University of London (2/9/2019 - 31/12/2021)

• Professor, Political Studies, Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) (1/7/2015 - 31/8/2019)

• Associate Professor, Political Studies, Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) (1/7/2009 - 30/6/2015)

• Assistant Professor, Political Studies, Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) (1/7/2001 - 30/6/2009)