Dr. Shelley Liu

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Shelley Liu is an assistant professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, with a primary research focus on issues related to conflict, development, and state-building in fragile political contexts. Her ongoing research projects explore how war shapes politics and development, citizen agency, state legibility, and the determinants of polarization, politicization, and disengagement. Liu's work has been published in several prestigious journals, including the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Peace Research, PLOS Political Science, Politics & Society, and World Politics. Before joining Duke, she served as an assistant professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Liu holds a PhD in Government from Harvard University, completed in 2020. Her research is characterized by a rigorous examination of the intersections between social and political dynamics in post-conflict settings and seeks to contribute significantly to our understanding of governance and citizen engagement in developing democracies.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2020-01-01 — Present

Sanford School of Public Policy • Duke University, Durham, NC

Research focused on issues surrounding conflict, development, and political dynamics in fragile states.

Assistant Professor

— Present

Goldman School of Public Policy • UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Requirements for Duke University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Multivariable Calculus Introduction to Physics (mechanics) Introduction to Chemistry
Application Checklist
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • Application Fee ($95)
  • Video Introduction
Specialization Notes

Department of Biomedical Engineering (MS program)