Tu ‘Eric’ Ngo is a PhD candidate whose interests lie in international relations, research methodology, and comparative politics. His ongoing dissertation project aims to use AI models to collect an original dataset that records relationship networks among political elites across authoritarian regimes. Using this data, the project examines how hidden elite networks and factions shape foreign policy, repression, and internal dynamics of autocracies.

Eric received an MA in Political Science from the University of Iowa in 2023 and BA in Political Science & International Relations from the Truman State University in 2021. 

When not being a nerd over political and social sciences, he enjoys watching soccer, pretending to work out, and playing guitar. Eric was born and raised in central Vietnam.

Awards

Post-Comprehensive Fellowship, Graduate College, Spring 2025

Best Student Paper Award, Department of Political Science, Fall 2024

Recruitment Fellowship, Graduate College, Fall 2021