My research explores how diaspora movements mobilize support for their causes and the factors which inhibit their mobilization and activism. Much of his work focuses on a major inhibitor of diasporic political activity—transnational repression, or the repression of diasporas by their countries of origin across international borders. My dissertation offered a novel theory on the cost-benefit calculations of host states, which craft their responses to the transnational repression of diasporas within their territory. To test his theory, I collected original data on host state responses to transnational repression to form the Host Responses to transnational Repression Dataset (HRRD).

I also have a second line of research studying social movement appeals and their impact on public opinion. In addition, I conduct research that advances our understanding of civil and international conflict. My research is multi-methodological in approach, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies including survey experiments and interviews.

My research has been published in a variety of forms, including in both peer-reviewed journals and the Washington Post’s “Monkey Cage.”

• Englund, Chase, Taylor Vincent, and Connor Kopchick. 2023. “The Effect of Crude Oil Price Changes on Civil Conflict Intensity in Rentier States.” Economics of Peace and Security Journal 18(2): 29-50.

• Kopchick, Connor, Kathleen Gallagher Cunningham, Erin K Jenne, and Stephen Saideman. 2022. "Emerging diasporas: Exploring mobilization outside the homeland." Journal of Peace Research 59(2): 107-121. 

• Telhami, Shibley and Connor Kopchick. 2020. "This recent poll shows how Americans think about the war in Afghanistan." The Washington Post's "Monkey Cage" blog. January 5. 

  • This article was also posted on the Brooking Institution's blog, where it is available without a subscription requirement. 

I also have several working papers under review or in preparation for submission to peer-reviewed journals, including:

• Cunningham, Kathleen Gallagher and Connor Kopchick. “Rights Violations and International Public Opinion.” Invited to Revise and Resubmit.

• Kopchick, Connor. “Muslim Victims and the Rights Penalty: The Impact of Identity on Public Perception of Human Rights Abuse Victims.” Under Review.

• Kopchick, Connor. “Appease Who? Explaining Host State Responses to Transnational Repression.” In Progress.

• Furstenberg, Saipira and Connor Kopchick. “Comparative Responses in Authoritarian Transnational Repression Phenomenon: Lessons from the U.S. and E.U.” In Progress.

• Kopchick, Connor. “Democracies as Origin States: Examining Transnational Repression Patterns by Non-Authoritarian Regimes.” In Progress.