Frances Cayton's research focuses on questions surrounding democratic backsliding, civil society, and political communication. Her dissertation, specifically, examines how the underlying level of pluralism in civil society affects the durability and degree of grassroots support available for backsliding incumbents across the Visegrad 4 (Poland, Hungary, Czechia, and Slovakia). IES support has facilitated pre-dissertation language training and fieldwork, and upcoming dissertation fieldwork that will include interviews, focus groups, and surveys.