Matthew Fehrs

Biography

Professor Matthew Fehrs is the coordinator for Democracy Studies and co-director of the St. Mary's Washington Program. He received his bachelors degree from Pitzer College, a MA from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from Duke University. Before coming to St. Mary’s he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Mershon Center at Ohio State University. He joined the St. Mary’s Political Science department in 2009, and studies international relations, specializing in issues relating to conflict. His current research interest centers on what leaders former adversaries to reconcile with one another. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy Analysis, Democracy and Security, and Diplomacy & Statecraft. Together with Professor Sahar Shafqat, he initiated and is co-director of the St. Mary’s Washington Program, which combines summer internships with intensive coursework and an alumni mentoring network. Professor Fehrs is proud to have former students working at the State Department, the Department of Defense, US AID, pursue PhDs, join the Peace Corps, and attend top law schools. When Professor Fehrs is not discussing current events with students, he enjoys running, foreign films, visiting national parks, and college basketball.