Thomas Christensen

Thomas J. Christensen is James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations Public and Director of the China and the World Program at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and the Pritzker Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He was previously William P. Boswell Professor of World Politics at Princeton University. From 2006 to 2008, he served as deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs with responsibility for relations with China, Taiwan, and Mongolia. His research and teaching focus on China’s foreign relations, the international relations of East Asia and international security. He has also taught at Cornell University and MIT. He received his B.A. from Haverford College, M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He was presented with a Distinguished Public Service Award by the United States Department of State.