It is with our deepest regrets we convey that V-Dem Institute Associate Professor Keith Weghorst passed away in leukemia on March 30th, 2023.
Our warmest thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Kristin Michelitch and the two young daughters Josephine and Margot.
The world has lost a terrific scholar and the Institute a future leader, but much more so we have all lost a wonderful human being so full of life, warmth, big smiles, and genuine companionship.
Keith had a long relationship with V-Dem and the Institute. Among other things, Keith did his PhD at University of Florida working with Staffan I. Lindberg and Michael Bernhard; a period as guest scholar at University of Notre Dame working with Michael Coppedge and quality control of V-Dem data; working with Staffan I. Lindberg on several projects in Africa; a period as visiting scholar at the V-Dem Institute; collaborator on the V-Party project; and joined us in June 2022 as Assistant Professor (TT) with outlook at also taking up the role as Deputy Director.
Celebration of Life events honoring Keith are planned for this weekend, 29th and 30th of April in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. For information, see https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/dyzyd6/updates/
His family has advised that donations in Keith’s honor can be made to:
- Josephine and Margot Education Fund: A scholarship fund for Keith and Kristin’s two daughters. Keith wanted more than anything to watch and support them as they grow up. Any donation will help carry out Keith's wishes to support his daughters develop themselves through education. Donate through this Go Fund Me account: https://gofund.me/3ed89537
- Organizations that combat leukemia such as Leukemia and Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org/ or Be the Match https://bethematch.org/