Welcome! I am an Assistant Professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School). In 2022, I received my Ph.D. in Political Science from New York University (NYU).
My research lies at the intersection of comparative politics and political economy, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa.
I examine how development aid affects political institutions in Africa and the political dynamics that shape the implementation of foreign aid programs. My work focuses on the electoral incentives and career concerns that shape the strategic decisions of local elites.
Since 2022, I have co-organized the KDI School--World Bank DIME Development Impact conference (2022, 2023, 2024). During 2016-22, I served as a graduate student focal point at NYU for the CAPERS.
I can be reached by email: dlee@kdis.ac.kr
My C.V. is available here.
Research
Under Review
Lee, Dongil. 2024. "Targeting Coethnic Elites or Voters? Evidence from Aid Allocation in Malawi." Revise & Resubmit at World Development.
Lee, Dongil. 2024. "Does Foreign Aid Undermine Political Responsiveness? Evidence from Kenya." Revise & Resubmit at Studies in Comparative International Development.
Rhee, Inbok & Dongil Lee. 2024. "Political Change in African Cities: Transforming State-Society Relations." Under Review.
Lee, Dongil, David Sungho Park & Inbok Rhee. 2024. "Global Climate Action and Local Rights: Survey Experimental Evidence on Public Support for Carbon Offsetting in Liberia." Under Review.
Working Paper
Beiser-McGrath, Janina & Dongil Lee. 2024. "Economic Crises and Political Selection: Evidence from Ministerial Appointments in Africa."
Cha'ngom, Narcisse, Dongil Lee, Eric Mvukiyehe & Christelle Tchoupé. 2024. "Electronic Payroll System and Intra-Civil Service Corruption: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo."
Lee, Dongil. 2024. "Legislative Gender Quota and Female Representation: Evidence from Ministerial Appointments."
Work in Progress
Bandiera, Antonella, Dongil Lee, Francis William Touola Meda & Cyrus Samii. "Empowering the People: How to Promote Political Representation for the Poor?"
Lee, Dongil, Eric Mvukiyehe, Christelle Tchoupé, Guo Xu & Hongshen Zhu. "Bureaucrat Selection under Weak State Capacity: Evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo."
Lee, Changkeun, Dongil Lee & Hye Young You. "Dictator's Economic Craft: How an Authoritarian Leader Taps Talents from Bureaucrats."
Conn, Katharine M., Dongil Lee, Cecilia Hyungjung Mo, & Averell Schmidt. "The Impact of Youth Service on Beliefs, Mindsets, and Life Pathways: Evidence from the Peace Corps."
Teaching
PhD courses
Foundations of Public Policy (F22, S23, S24, S25)
Mathematics for Economics I (S24, S25)
Master's courses
Political Economy of Development (S23, Su23, S24, S25, Su25)
Data-Driven Foreign Aid (Su23, Su24, Su25)