Matthew Adam Kocher

Matthew Adam Kocher is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (2004) and specializes in comparative politics, international relations, and political methodology. His research focuses on civil wars, violent social processes, and innovative methodologies like GIS and quantitative analysis.

Dr. Kocher has taught at institutions including Yale University, the University of Chicago, and the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) in Mexico City. His work bridges historical and methodological approaches, with notable contributions to understanding conflict dynamics, nationalism, and peacekeeping operations.

His research awards include the APSA Gabriel A. Almond Award (2006), the Gregory Luebbert Award (2009), and the Heinz I. Eulau Award (2017). His articles span topics like French resistance under Nazi occupation, Turkish nationalism, and Vietnam War strategies. Kocher’s methodologies emphasize data construction from archival materials and micro-comparative analysis.

He advises on conflict studies and political violence, with ongoing projects exploring state capacity and the impact of peacekeeping. His virtual office hours are available via Zoom, and he maintains active research collaborations across international institutions.