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Hobby School of Public Affairs

Center for Public Policy

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

The 2025 EITM is hosted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs, with support from the Department of Political Science, at the University of Houston 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 Cantú.

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Fransico Cantú 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. Cantú joined the University of Houston 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. Cantú'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—his family, colleagues, and friends—we 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, University of Houston, Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs

Jeffrey Church, University of Houston, Chair of the Department of Political Science

10:10 AM

 

Session 1: Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models
Bates 240

Sunny Wong, University of Houston, "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, University of Houston

11:40 AM

 Break

11:50 AM

Session 2: Legacy of Francisco Cantú
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 Cantú"

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, University of Houston, "Opening the Gates: Interest Group Influence on Partisan Agenda Control"

Discussant: Yuki Atsusaka, University of Houston (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 Cantú
Heritage Room

Eric Magar, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, "A Collection of Roll Call Votes in the Mexican Senate, 2005--2011"

Jeronimo Cortina, University of Houston, "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, University of Houston, "Heterogeneous Districts, Interests, and Trade Policy"

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

Discussant: Gail Buttorff, University of Houston

10:30 AM

 Break

10:40 AM

 

Session 6: Legacy of Francisco Cantú
Heritage Room

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

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

11:40 AM

 Break

11:50 AM

Session 7: Legacy of Francisco Cantú
Heritage Room

Juan Pablo Micozzi, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and Eduardo Aleman, University of Houston, "Party Monitors and Election Integrity: Evidence from Argentina"

Sebastian Saiegh, University of California, San Diego, "Francisco Cantú 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 UH main campus.

Parking

Please use Elgin Street Garage.