Chris is an writer, researcher, and development technologist. Chris leads FrontlineSMS‘s Governance Project, an effort to further the use of mobile technology for transparency, accountability, and good governance. Prior to FrontlineSMS, Chris earned a Ph.D. in political science at the University of California, Davis researching the effect of civil wars on health care governance.
Chris is an active writer and blogger. He currently blogs at ChrisRAlbon.com and UN Dispatch; and occasionally contributes to TheAtlantic.com and ForeignPolicy.com. In 2008, he founded Conflict Health, a blog on the defense of health and health workers in armed conflict and political violence. He also wrote for the United States Naval Institute Blog and guest posted elsewhere.
Chris earned his B.A. from the University of Miami, where he triple majored in political science, international studies, and religious studies. He lives in Baltimore and works in DC.
Want to talk? Contact Chris
- Email: moc.noblARsirhC@em (reversed)
- Skype: ChrisAlbon
- Twitter: @chrisalbon
Curriculum Vitae
Education
- Ph.D., Political Science, University of California, Davis. 2012
- Dissertation: “Civil Wars And Health Systems”, analyzes the determinants of rebel and government behavior towards health system destruction and reconstruction
- Fields: International Relations, Political Methodology, and Public Health
- M.A., Political Science, University of California, Davis. 2010
- Thesis: “U.N. Peace Operations And Public Health After Civil War”
- Summer Programme on International Affairs and Multilateral Governance, H.E.I., 2007
- Focus: Human Security And Conflict Resolution
- B.A., University of Miami, Miami, FL. 2006
- Triple majored in political science, international studies, and religious studies
Experience
- Project Director, FrontlineSMS, 2012 – Present
- Leads FrontlineSMS’s Governance Project, an effort to use mobile technology to improve the transparency and accountability of governments.
- Contributor, United Nations Dispatch, 2011 – Present
- Write news, opinion, and analysis on global affairs, particularly relating to health during
conflict, global health politics, and the role of social media
- Write news, opinion, and analysis on global affairs, particularly relating to health during
- Blogger, Conflict Health, 2008 – 2012
- Designed and launched a blog on defending health and health workers against persecution, violence, and armed conflict
- Cited by major publications including The Atlantic, Harpers, Wired, The Economist, Time, The Guardian, and The American Prospect
- Contributor, United States Naval Institute Blog, 2009 – 2011
- Wrote posts on the U.S. Navy’s role in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and health diplomacy for one of America’s most prestigious professional military associations
- Research Assistant, U.C. Davis Department Of Political Science, 2008 – 2009
- Researched the effect of U.S. defense policy on military suicides
Selected Publications And Media
- The Hidden Perils Of Covert Action. ForeignPolicy.com: AfPak Channel. Jul 2011.
- Did The C.I.A.’s Fake Vaccine Drive Undermine Global Health Efforts?. Interview on The Takeaway for Public Radio International. Jul 13th, 2011.
- As Arabs Revolt, Government Forces Target Health Workers. TheAtlantic.com. May 2011.
- How Food Could Determine Libya’s Future. TheAtlantic.com. Mar 2011.
- How WikiLeaks Just Set Back Democracy In Zimbabwe. TheAtlantic.com. Dec 2010.
- Preparing For Mass Evacuation From Korea. TheAtlantic.com. Dec 2010.
- Creating An International Health Service Corps. Current Intelligence. Oct 2010.
- Blurring Line Between Militaries And Health Workers. TheAtlantic.com. Sep 2010.
- The Limits Of Netwar. Current Intelligence. Apr 2010.
- A Second Great White Fleet. The New Ledger. Sep 2010.
- Get Off The Fainting Couch. Proceedings. Apr 2010: Vol. 136/3/1,286.
- Infectious Diseases And U.S. National Security. Current Intelligence. Jul 2010.
- Wireless Technology For Health. i4d. Apr 2009:13-15.
Conferences And Panels
- “Do Peacekeepers Protect Health?” Presented at 50th Annual International Studies Association Conference. Feb 15th-18th 2009. New York, NY.
- “The Journey or the Destination: Determinants of Refugee Movement” Presented at International Studies Association – Western Conference. Sep 25th-26th. San Francisco, CA.
- Innovation Fair: Moving Beyond Conflict. World Bank. Apr 12th-15th, 2010. Cape Town, South Africa.
- Measures of Progress in Conflict Environments Workshop. Naval Postgraduate School. Jan 14th-16th, 2007. Monterey, CA.