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 been co-organizing the KDI School--World Bank DIME Development Impact conference (2022, 2023). 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." Under Review.
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. 2023. "Coalition-Building and Distributive Politics in Africa."
Lee, Dongil. 2023. "Who were the US Peace Corps Volunteers and where did they serve?"
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, Dongil, David Sungho Park & Inbok Rhee. "Warlord-Politicians, Fear, and War Crimes Court: Survey Experimental Evidence from Liberia."
Lee, Changkeun, Dongil Lee & Hye Young You "Dictator's Economic Craft: How an Authoritarian Leader Taps Talents from Bureaucrats."
Lee, Dongil. "Patronage or Competence? Ministerial Appointments in Africa."
Teaching
PhD courses
Foundations of Public Policy (Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
Essential Math for PhD Students (Spring 2024)
Master's courses
Political Economy of Development (Spring 2023, Summer 2023)
Data-Driven Foreign Aid (Summer 2023, Spring 2024)