Malawi

Examines whether increasing women's representation changes how communities talk about and decide climate-related forest policies in Malawi.

Many governments and organizations invest in voter education to increase women's political representation. However, in single-member district contests where clientelism pushes voters to back the most viable candidates, messages that spotlight discrimination against women can unintentionally undercut support by signaling lower electability. Messages that emphasize women candidates' electoral viability and political successes are expected to be more effective.

Alex Yeandle asks how rising access to the Internet changes electoral competition and administration in low-income democracies. The question is timely because expanding mobile connectivity could alter how parties campaign, how voters get information, and how election officials run polling on election day.