The APSA Diversity Fellows Program (DFP) is a fellowship competition for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds applying to or in the early stages of doctoral programs in political science. The DFP was established in 1969 (originally as the Black Graduate Fellowship) to increase the number of minority scholars in the discipline. Since its inception, the APSA DFP has designated more than 600 fellows and contributed to the successful completion of doctoral political science programs for over 100 individuals.
Kevin Bustamante is a second-year PhD. student in the department of political science at the University of Notre Dame. His research interests include international relations theory and race and ethnic politics. Kevin’s work is centered around the role of race in American Politics and International Relations. His dissertation seeks to show how taking race seriously fundamentally alters our knowledge of state behavior in international politics. His previous research has focused on the politics of state visibility and the impact of foreign direct investment in communities of color within Miami, Florida. He is committed to recruiting and mentoring under-represented minorities into academia. Before attending graduate school, Kevin earned his BA from the University of Miami and triple majored in anthropology, English (creative writing), and political science, graduating with departmental honors in the latter two. He has also worked as a high school teacher and as a research assistant investigating civil war alliances.