On May 7, 2026, POIR held its annual Academic Recognition Dinner to celebrate the academic achievements of graduating seniors. Among them, POIR commended three Fulbright Scholars, two Dornsife Scholars, two USC Global Scholars, and eight Departmental Honors.
Professor Gerardo Munck joined Bettina Woll, Isabel Saint Malo, and Marcela RĂos for a discussion about democracy and development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The panel was moderated by Gerardo Noto.
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We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Michael Graham Fry on July 28, 2025, in San Diego. He served as a professor in USC’s School of International Relations from 1981 to 2000, highlighted by his impactful role as the School’s director from 1981 to 1986. He is credited with successfully stewarding a generous gift from the Harris family toward the establishment of the Center for International Studies in 1986.
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The ESRA conference invites scholars and election administrators to participate as panelists in Los Angeles, California, in 2024. Submit proposals by February 16, 2024, focusing on topics like election laws, voter engagement, and data analysis. Visit the conference website for more information and to submit your proposal.
We are thrilled to announce that Sherry Zaks, Assistant Professor of Political Science, has been honored with the distinguished Raubenheimer Faculty Award at USC Dornsife. 🏆 This award, named after Albert S. Raubenheimer, former vice president for academic affairs and dean of liberal arts, is among the highest faculty honors and celebrates colleagues who have made significant contributions to our academic community...
In a significant contribution to the field of human rights, Steve Swerdlow, Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights at USC, has recently published a comprehensive 30-page report on enforced disappearances in Tajikistan.
We congratulate Dr. Argote Tironi and his coauthor, Giancarlo Visconti, on this significant achievement. Their research, conducted in Chile, offers valuable insights into the rise of successful independent candidates amid growing anti-elite sentiments.
Student Spotlight: Emily Hansen, Class of 2023, Admitted to Harvard Law School
