Elisabeth King is Associate Professor of International Education and Politics at New York University and Founding Director of NYU's minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. Her research interests include peace, development, and education in ethnically diverse and conflict-affected contexts. King uses research methods ranging from in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups, to randomized field experiments and surveys, and works with policy-makers to link her scholarship with on-the-ground practice and programming. She is the author of From Classrooms to Conflict in Rwanda, named an Outstanding Academic Title by the American Libraries Association. Other work appears in journals such as Journal of Peace Research, World Development, and African Studies Review. King's research has been funded by grants from such organizations as the United States Institute of Peace, the Spencer Foundation, and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. She has consulted for organizations including Innovations for Poverty Action, Millennium Challenge Corporation, MasterCard Foundation, and UNICEF. King received her PhD in political science from the University of Toronto and was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University.

Cyrus Samii is Associate Professor in the Wilf Family Department of Politics of New York University and Executive Director of the Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network. He writes and teaches on quantitative social science methodology and conducts applied research on governance in contexts where formal institutions are weak, the political economy of development, and social, economic, and psychological causes of violent conflict. He has designed and carried out field studies in sites across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This research has been conducted in collaboration with partners from various international agencies, including the World Bank, United Nations, US Agency for International Development, UK Department for International Development, and Danish International Aid Agency, as well as non-governmental and civil society organizations in the respective countries. His work has appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals such as the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Annals of Applied Statistics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Peace Research, Journal of Politics, Political Analysis, and Survey Methodology. He received his PhD in political science from Columbia University.

Winner, 2022 Best Book Award, International Studies Association

"This is a well-researched study with findings that are valuable for anyone interested in the development of peace and democracy. Recommended. All levels." -- T. Davis, Lake Erie College, CHOICE

"This is an incredibly important book. Scholars will find a novel theory of the reasons for ethnic recognition, as well as a convincing and sophisticated argument drawing on a wealth of original material. As for policy-makers, they will find guidance on how to make the 'right' choice when faced with the dilemma of ethnic recognition. Therefore, King & Samii's advice may impact millions of lives for the better." -Séverine Autesserre, author of Trouble with the Congo, Peaceland, and The Frontlines of Peace

"One of the most fateful decisions facing peace-makers and state-builders in ethnically divided societies is whether to formally recognize the rights and powers of cultural groups, or whether individual rights approaches offer a better way to simultaneously prevent ethnic discrimination and demobilize invidious ethnic rivalries. Grounded in deep theoretical and empirical work, King and Samii convincingly explain the conditions under which ethnic group recognition or non-recognition is likely to produce the better outcome." -Jack Snyder, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Relations, Columbia University