Hope M. Harrison

Hope M. Harrison is a Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University, where she has been since 1999. She holds affiliations with the Elliott School, serving in roles such as Associate Dean for Research (2015-2016) and Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (2005-2009). She is also involved with Berlin-based institutions like the Allied Museum and the Berlin Wall Association, as well as the Wilson Center’s History and Public Policy Program in Washington.

Dr. Harrison earned her Ph.D. in History from Columbia University in 1993 and a B.A. from Harvard University in 1985.

Her research interests center on Cold War history, particularly the dynamics between the Soviet Union and East Germany, the construction and legacy of the Berlin Wall, and the politics of historical memory in post-reunification Germany. She explores how historical narratives shape national identity and public policy, with a focus on Germany’s Cold War legacy and its evolving memory landscape.

She has been honored with the 2004 Marshall Shulman Prize for her seminal work Driving the Soviets Up the Wall: Soviet-East German Relations, 1953-1961, which was recognized as the best book on Soviet bloc international affairs.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Harrison has served on the National Security Council staff (2000-2001) as Director for European and Eurasian Affairs. She has held fellowships from the Fulbright Program, the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the American Academy in Berlin, and the Wilson Center. Her work has been supported through these fellowships and her extensive archival research initiatives.