Chris Cook

Chris Cook, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the International Studies Certificate Program at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. His academic background includes a BA from Fitchburg State College, MA from California State University, Los Angeles, and PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He specializes in international relations with a focus on African politics, media representation of conflicts, and resource-driven wars.

Dr. Cook's research critically examines media framing of African conflicts, particularly how Western media filters narratives around resource plunder and geopolitical dynamics. His work highlights the intersection of postcolonialism, resource extraction, and sovereignty debates in regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and Liberia. He has also explored pedagogical approaches to teaching international issues, emphasizing the impact of film and cultural narratives in shaping perceptions of terrorism and African politics.

His publications analyze American, British, and French media coverage of wars in Central Africa, revealing systemic biases in conflict reporting. He has written extensively on topics such as the Congo Wars, Angolan civil war, and the role of international institutions in shaping US policy toward East Timor and Kosovo. His contributions also include historical analyses of figures like Patrice Lumumba and Zimbabwe's revolutionary veterans, offering insights into neo-colonialism and resistance movements.

Dr. Cook actively engages with undergraduate research programs, mentoring students in global studies and conflict analysis through initiatives like the SPACE faculty-student mentorship projects. His work bridges academic scholarship with real-world policy implications, particularly in understanding how media narratives influence international intervention decisions and resource conflict dynamics.