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 several peer-reviewed articles:

• Kopchick, Connor and Kathleen Gallagher Cunningham. 2025. “Rights Violations and International Public Opinion.” International Interactions 51(6): 936-964.

• 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. 

I also have several working papers in progress, including:

• Kopchick, Connor and Saipira Furstenberg. “Desecuritization of Transnational Repression in the U.S.”

• Kopchick, Connor. “Public Reactions to Transnational Repression in Democracies.”

• Kopchick, Connor. “Questioning the Smear: The Effect of Transnational Repression on External Image.”

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

During my time at the University of Maryland, I also worked with the Critical Issues Poll which surveys Americans on issues of foreign policy. I analyzed the results of one of these polls for a piece in the Washington Post’s “Monkey Cage” blog.

• 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.