Gates' research interests center on security organizations and their exercise of control over repertoires of violence, especially with regard to sexual and gendered violence. Her dissertation uses an organizational sociological lens to examine the U.S. Army's construction of risk regarding intraorganizational threats to personnel, including sexual violence, friendly fire, and equipment failure. In previous work, she has explored variation among armed groups in the utilization of sexual and gendered violence. Leah earned a BA in international studies from the School of International Service and a graduate certificate in Women and Political Leadership from the School of Public Affairs at American University.
