Themes

The Global Dynamics Initiative supports four main threads of research, each led by a member of the faculty cluster. In addition to research conducted by the Mellichamp professors, our cluster supports speakers, conferences, and research endeavors organized by campus colleagues and partners around the globe.

Gender and Islam research area image
Gender & Islam The Gender & Islam research initiative is led by Professor Janet Afary who has published extensively on modern Iranian culture and politics as well as issues of gender, family, intimacy, and sexuality in Muslim-majority societies. Contact: Janet Afary
human rights protest sign
Human Rights Alison Brysk leads the Human Rights research initiative. Her interests include governance issues, women’s rights, and human migration. She is also specializes in Latin American studies with emphasis on indigenous rights. Contact: Alison Brysk
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Media & Culture The Media & Culture research initiative is led by Professor Michael Curtin who specializes in the study of screen media institutions and policies around the world. Other topics include creativity, labor, language, popular culture, and communication. Contact: Michael Curtin
Political economy research area image
Political Economy Professor Jan Nederveen Pieterse's current work emphasizes global political economy and development studies with a focus on 21st century globalization. This initiative also analyzes the rise of Asia, China, and emerging economies in other parts of the world. Contact: Jan Nederveen Pieterse