Our newest faculty member, Dr. Blair Welsh, joined the Department of Political Science on July 1, 2025. A graduate of the University of Essex (PhD 2023), Dr. Welsh’s research investigates the politics of armed violence and development across three major themes: i) causes and consequences of armed violence; ii) conflict and displacement; and iii) post-conflict recovery. His research is published in International Organization, International Studies Quarterly, Journal of Peace Research, Journal of Global Security Studies, Conflict Management and Peace Science, and the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies.

Dr. Welsh has conducted research in collaboration with several government and non-government organizations in Ghana, Nigeria, and Somalia, including the United Nations, and is currently a co-PI on an Innovations of Poverty Action and IKEA Foundation funded project on conflict and displacement in South Sudan. He has also served as an advisor to the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court. Prior to joining Western, Dr. Welsh was a Postdoctoral Associate at New York University - Abu Dhabi. 

We’re excited about the range of expertise that Dr. Welsh brings to our department. In 2025-6, Dr. Welsh looks forward to teaching PS2532F, International Law and Order; IR 4704G, Contemporary Challenges in the Global Community II; and PS 9512A, Terrorism and Counterterrorism.