Rachel A. Cichowski

Rachel A. Cichowski is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington, with a joint appointment in the Law, Societies and Justice Department. She holds adjunct roles in the School of Law, Department of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, and European Studies Faculty. Her research focuses on international law, human rights, legal mobilization, and comparative constitutionalism, with geographic expertise in Europe. She has held visiting positions at institutions such as the University of Barcelona, UCSD, and the Max Planck Institute.

She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. Her work emphasizes large-n data collection and qualitative methods, particularly through projects like the European Court of Human Rights Database (ECHRdb), funded by the NSF. Her notable book The European Court and Civil Society won the APSA Best Book Award in 2008.

Cichowski teaches comparative law, international justice, and global women’s rights across undergraduate, graduate, and law programs. Her pedagogical approach integrates experiential learning through study abroad programs in Rome and partnerships with local organizations like Seattle Against Slavery. She has secured NSF grants totaling over $2 million for collaborative global legal studies initiatives.

Her awards include the APSA Best Book Award and recognition for innovative data infrastructure in legal studies. She advises doctoral students in political science, law, and related disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary research communities.