Curriculum Vitae

Field

Political Science (International Relations; Comparative Politics)

Topics

International Security; Alliance Politics & NATO; Military Power; Foreign Policy & Global Governance; International Political Economy; Regime Dynamics

Methods

Panel data regression; Causal inference; Statistical modeling (R, SPSS); fsQCA; Process tracing

• Expected May 2028

  Ph.D. in Political Science

  Northern Arizona University

  • Doctoral coursework GPA: 4.0/4.0
  • Dissertation: Why Allies Change Defense Spending Priorities: Alliance Accountability and the Politics of Burden Sharing in NATO
• 2023–2025

  M.A. in Political Science

  Northern Arizona University

  • GPA: 4.0/4.0, awarded with Distinction
• 2018–2021

  M.Sc. in Political Science and International Relations

  University of Abuja

  • Awarded with Distinction
• 2011–2015

  B.Sc. in Political Science

  IBB University, Lapai

  • Second Class Honours

• 2025–present

  Part-time Instructor

  Department of Politics & International Affairs, Northern Arizona University

• 2023

  Instructor (Government)

  School of Preliminary Studies, Nile University, Abuja

• 2022–2023

  Part-time Instructor

  Department of Political Science, Ave-Maria University, Abuja

• Fidelis, D. A. (2026). Enemies at the gates: Threat activation and support for strongman rule in Hungary and the European Union. European Politics and Society

  DOI for Enemies at the gates: Threat activation and support for strongman rule in Hungary and the European Union

• Fidelis, D. A., Baah, N. K., & Hameed, M. (2026). The Double-Edged Order: How Globalization Shapes Militarization Across Political Regimes in a Multiplex World. The International Spectator

  DOI for The Double-Edged Order: How Globalization Shapes Militarization Across Political Regimes in a Multiplex World

• Fidelis, D. A. (2025). Beyond burden-sharing: Signaling and variation in NATO defence spending. Contemporary Security Policy

  DOI for Beyond burden-sharing: Signaling and variation in NATO defence spending

• Fidelis, D. A., & Baah, N. K. (2025). Rethinking the guns vs. butter tradeoff: A non-linear and regime-conditioned approach in the military and health spending. Defence and Peace Economics

  DOI for Rethinking the guns vs. butter tradeoff: A non-linear and regime-conditioned approach in the military and health spending

Under review

• Fidelis, D. A., & Baah, N. K. Training Strategic Partners: Strategic Compatibility and U.S. Foreign Military Training. Journal of Conflict Resolution · Under review

• Fidelis, D. A. Why Do Some Allies Exercise More? Terrorism Vulnerability and the Dual Logic of NATO Multinational Exercises. International Studies Quarterly · Under review

• Fidelis, D. A. When Pressure Backfires: How Sanction Severity Fuels Resistance in Targeted States. Cambridge Review of International Affairs · Under review

• Fidelis, D. A., Baah, N. K., & Hameed, M. Selective Solidarity: When and Why Regional Organizations Rescue Embattled Autocrats. Political Studies Review · Under review

• 2025

  Most Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant ($1,000)

  Northern Arizona University

• 2025

  GSG Travel Grant ($1,000)

  Northern Arizona University

• 2025

  Travel Grant ($300)

  College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NAU

• 2025

  Political Science Scholarship ($400)

  College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NAU

• 2023–2025

  Graduate Assistantship Award (Full tuition waiver + $18,000 stipend)

  Northern Arizona University

• 2023

  Staff Performance Award ($250)

  Nile University

• April 2026

  Discussant, “Poster Session: Technology, Cyber Governance and AI Politics”

  Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Annual Conference, Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

• April 2026

  Presenter, “The Double-Edged Order: How Globalization Shapes Militarization Across Political Regimes in a Multiplex World”

  Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL

• April 2025

  Presenter, “How Charismatic Leaders at Independence Shape Democracy: The Key to Strong or Weak Democratic Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa”

  Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL

• 2026

  Guest lecturer, “Human Rights and Human Security”

  NAU POS 120 World Politics

• 2026

  Guest lecturer, “Politics, Power and State”

  NAU ANT 102 Exploring Cultures

• 2025

  Guest lecturer, “The Environment: How Do Environmental Issues Impact World Politics?”

  NAU POS 120 World Politics

• 2024

  Guest lecturer, “Political Parties and Interest Groups”

  NAU POS 110 American Politics and Institutions

• 2023

  Guest lecturer, “Big Man and Oil Rent in Africa”

  NAU POS 120 World Politics

• 2023

  Guest lecturer, “Interplay of Governmental and Non-Governmental Actors”

  NAU POS 250 Public Policy

• Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026 (ongoing)

  POS 100 Introduction to Politics

  Northern Arizona University

• Summer 2024, Summer 2025

  National Security Program

  Envision by WorldStrides

• Spring 2023, Summer 2023

  SPS 100 Introduction to Government

  Nile University, Abuja

• Spring & Fall 2022

  POS 110 Global Politics

  Ave-Maria University, Abuja

• 2024, 2025

  U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

  Structured site visit and instructional briefing by DHS officers on homeland security priorities and national-security career pathways.

• 2024, 2025

  U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.

  Site briefings on diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy careers.

• 2025

  Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Washington, D.C.

  Diplomatic briefing on U.S.–Korea relations and soft power strategy.

• 2024–2025

  Guest Speaker Session on Intelligence Operations, Washington, D.C.

  Intelligence-focused session with Jonah Mendez as part of national-security training and applied instruction.

• 2024, 2025

  U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

  Site briefings on Navy career pathways, officer training, and facilities.

• 2025–present

  President

  Graduate Association of Political Science (GAPS), NAU

  Represents graduate students in faculty meetings.

• 2024–2025

  Vice President

  Graduate Association of Political Science (GAPS), NAU

  Represented graduate students in faculty meetings.

• 2025

  Co-organizer

  Northern Arizona Security Panel (GAPS)

  Collaborated with GAPS to host a university security panel.