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Lily L. Tsai is the Ford Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the director and founder of the MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB). Her research primarily focuses on accountability, governance, and political participation in developing contexts, particularly in Asia and Africa. Tsai's work emphasizes using empirical evidence to understand civic engagement and government responsiveness. In 2014, she established MIT GOV/LAB, which brings together social and behavioral scientists with researchers to design and test innovations aimed at enhancing citizen engagement with governments. Tsai has published extensively, including books on retributive justice in authoritarian contexts, and articles in leading political science journals. Her research aims to identify factors influencing governmental performance and the provision of public goods in developing countries, while also examining the impact of social capital and civil society on democratic consolidation. She utilizes a variety of methodologies, including survey research and field experiments, to explore the political attitudes and behaviors of individuals in transitional political systems.