Tyler James Olsen has studied philosophy and politics for the past ten years, holding an MA in political science from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center in New York City. His research interests include participatory democracy, institutional design, social history, and community organizing. He is currently researching the development of state-level participatory budgeting in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with funding from a Fulbright research grant. In this project, Tyler emphasizes the long historical trajectory of the political institutions and social practices throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul that facilitated the emergence of these innovative institutions—first at the city level in municipalities throughout the state, and then at the state level. You can find him on Twitter under the handle @tylerjolsen.