Richard Leitch

Richard Leitch is an Associate Professor in the departments of Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Japanese Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College. He has been a member of the Political Science Department since 1996 and teaches a wide range of courses in international and comparative politics, with a focus on Japan and environmental issues.

• BA in East Asian Studies, Colby College (1985)
• MA in Asian Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• PhD in Political Science, University of Illinois (1995)

Dr. Leitch's research interests center on Japanese domestic politics and foreign policy. He has also contributed significantly to the study of environmental politics and the politics of poverty. His interdisciplinary approach bridges political science with area studies and environmental policy.

His teaching excellence has been widely recognized through multiple awards, including the Swenson-Bunn Award and the Edgar M. Carlson Award. In 2012, he was honored as one of The Princeton Review's Best 300 Professors in the United States.

Scientific Awards:

• Harriet and Charles Luckman Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching
• College of Liberal Arts Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Graduate Assistant
• Swenson-Bunn Award for Teaching Excellence
• Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching
• Included in The Princeton Review's The Best 300 Professors

Dr. Leitch has advised numerous senior thesis students across Japanese Studies and Political Science, reflecting his engagement in undergraduate research mentorship. While no specific grants are mentioned, his sustained teaching and recognition suggest active academic involvement. There is no information available about research labs or teams.