色花堂

Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models (EITM) - 2025 Francisco Cant煤 Memorial

The 2025 EITM is hosted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs, with support from the Department of Political Science, at the 色花堂 on Friday March 28 and Saturday, March 29. 

This conference aims to bring together scholars who advance the field of EITM, broadly defined. The conference also honors the legacy of Francisco Cant煤.

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Fransico Cant煤 was a dedicated scholar and professor whose work left a lasting impact on the field of political science. Born in Puebla, Mexico, he earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, San Diego, where he began his research on electoral integrity. His commitment to solving real-world problems.
In 2013, Dr. Cant煤 joined the 色花堂 as an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, where he earned widespread recognition for his contributions to both academia and the broader community. Among his many achievements, he co-directed the Hobby School's Survey Research Institute and served as an instructor for the Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models (EITM) Summer Institute, helping to shape the next generation of scholars.
Dr. Cant煤's dedication to research, mentorship, and community remains a lasting legacy that continues to inspire those who had the privilege to work with him. As we gather to remember him鈥攈is family, colleagues, and friends鈥攚e honor his exceptional contributions to both the academic world and the communities he served.

 


 

Program

 

March 28 (Friday)

9:30 AM

Arrival and Breakfast
Bates 240

10:00 AM

Opening remarks
Bates 240

Jim Granato, 色花堂, Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs

Jeffrey Church, 色花堂, Chair of the Department of Political Science

10:10 AM

 

Session 1: Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models
Bates 240

Sunny Wong, 色花堂, "An EITM on 48 Years of Presidential Nomination Campaigns"

Jonathan Woon, University of Pittsburgh, "Justice, Injustice, and History: An EITM Approach" (pptx)

Discussant: Gail Buttorff, 色花堂

11:40 AM

Break

11:50 AM

Session 2: Legacy of Francisco Cant煤
Bates 240

Michelle Torres, University of California, Los Angeles, "Computer Vision in Political Science: How It Started, How It's Going, and What Is Next"

Gustavo Guajardo, Rice University, "Legacy of Francisco Cant煤"

12:50 PM

Lunch
Albertus Room

2:30 PM

 

Session 3: Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models
Heritage Room

Maggie Penn, Emory University, "Classification Algorithms & Social Outcomes"

Michael Kistner, 色花堂, "Opening the Gates: Interest Group Influence on Partisan Agenda Control"

Discussant: Yuki Atsusaka, 色花堂 (slides here)

4:00 PM

Break

4:10 PM

 

Message from the Family
Heritage Room

Lucero Gonzalez Franco Haghenbeck

 4:25 PM

Session 4: Legacy of Francisco Cant煤
Heritage Room

Eric Magar, Instituto Tecnol贸gico Aut贸nomo de M茅xico, "A Collection of Roll Call Votes in the Mexican Senate, 2005--2011"

Jeronimo Cortina, 色花堂, "Just Francisco"

5:10 PM

End of Day 1

5:30 PM

Happy Hour

7:15 PM

Dinner

 

 

March 29 (Saturday)

8:30 AM

Breakfast
Heritage Room

9:00 AM

Session 5: Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models
Heritage Room

Pablo Pinto, 色花堂, "Heterogeneous Districts, Interests, and Trade Policy"

Emily Ritter, Vanderbilt University, "Backlash" (Slides here)

Discussant: Gail Buttorff, 色花堂

10:30 AM

Break

10:40 AM

 

Session 6: Legacy of Francisco Cant煤
Heritage Room

Pedro Riera, University Carlos III of Madrid, "Francisco Cant煤: The Modesty of the Greatness"

Pablo Fernandez-Vazquez, University Carlos III of Madrid, "Legacy of Francisco Cant煤: Historical Knowledge and Cutting-edge Tools in the Public Service"

11:40 AM

Break

11:50 AM

Session 7: Legacy of Francisco Cant煤
Heritage Room

Juan Pablo Micozzi, Instituto Tecnol贸gico Aut贸nomo de M茅xico and Eduardo Aleman, University of Houston, "Party Monitors and Election Integrity: Evidence from Argentina"

Sebastian Saiegh, University of California, San Diego, "Francisco Cant煤 as a Pioneer in the Application of Machine Learning (ML) to Political Science"

12:50 PM

Closing Remarks

1:30 PM

Lunch


 

Location

The meeting will take place at Bates Building in 色花堂 main campus.

Parking

Please use .