Claire Tow Professor of Political Science, Barnard College
Vice Provost for Research and Academic Centers, Barnard College
Member, Committee on Global Thought
Alexander Cooley is the Claire Tow Professor of Political Science and Vice Provost for Research and Academic Centers at Barnard College, Columbia University. From 2015-21 he served as the 15th Director of Columbia University’s Harriman Institute for the Study of Russia, Eurasia and Eastern Europe. Professor Cooley’s research examines how international actors have influenced the governance, sovereignty, and security of the post-Communist states, with a focus Central Asia and the Caucasus. In addition to his academic publications, Professor Cooley’s commentaries have appeared in Foreign Affairs, the New York Times, and the Washington Post and and he serves on a broad range of national and international working groups and advisory committees. He has testified for the US Congress, UK Parliament and the Parliament of Canada on regional issues related to his research.
Degrees:
- PhD, Political Science, Columbia University 1999
- MA, Political Science, Columbia University 1995
- BA with Honors, Swarthmore College 1994