Pearl Robinson

Pearl T. Robinson is a Professor of Political Science at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences, concurrently holding a Professorship at Tisch College. She specializes in Comparative Politics, African Studies, and African-American Politics. Her research explores democratization, African governance, and transnational connections between African and African-American communities.

Robinson earned her PhD from Columbia University (1975), MA (1968) and BA (1966) from UC Davis. She has held leadership roles, including past President of the African Studies Association and Director of Tufts' International Relations Program. Her fieldwork and Peace Corps service in Niger (1980s) inform her expertise on West Africa.

Her research interests emphasize political transitions, civil society, and African diasporic connections. Notable works include co-authored Stabilizing Nigeria and edited Transformation and Resiliency in Africa. Current projects include a biography of Ralph Bunche and the Mama Kiota! documentary on female empowerment in Niger's Islamic communities.

Robinson has received prestigious awards such as the Teshome H. Gabriel Distinguished Africanist Award (2011), Gerald R. Gill Award (2023), and Seymour Simches Teaching Award (2022). She contributes to policy dialogues via Oxfam America, TransAfrica, and the Council on Foreign Relations.