About
Tamar Gutner is Professor at American University's School of International Service (SIS), where she previously served as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Graduate Education and directed the MAIR, GGPS, and IER MA programs. Her leadership extends to program development and faculty mentorship, recognized by the 2017 Outstanding Faculty Mentor award.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- M.A. in International Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
- B.S. in Radio/TV/Film, Northwestern University
Professor Gutner's research examines the performance and effectiveness of international organizations, particularly international financial institutions. Her work analyzes institutional collaboration between the IMF and World Bank, the design of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and environmental governance in multilateral development banks. She employs theoretical frameworks from agency theory and institutional analysis to investigate mandate-performance gaps in global governance structures, with regional expertise in Central and Eastern Europe and emerging economies.
Her publication trends reveal deepening focus on inter-organizational dynamics since 2020, shifting from single-institution analyses to collaborative mechanisms between multilateral entities. Recent work emphasizes evaluation methodologies for IO collaboration, with increasing attention to China's role in reshaping global financial governance through institutions like the AIIB.
Scientific Awards:
- American University William Cromwell Award for Outstanding Teaching (2025)
- Darrell Randall Award for Outstanding Service (2014, 2024)
- Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship (2019)
- Multiple AU SIS Faculty Research and Curriculum Development Grants
Professor Gutner has secured significant research funding from the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings Institution, MacArthur Foundation, and International Studies Association. As a mentor, she has guided numerous graduate students through AU's international relations programs, with former advisees now working in international organizations and policy institutions. Her 2019 fellowship at the IMF's Independent Evaluation Office informed both her scholarly work and practical contributions to institutional evaluation frameworks.
Her professional engagement includes regular participation in major conferences like the American Political Science Association and International Studies Association, where she presents on MDB collaboration strategies and global governance innovations. Current projects examine evolving corporate strategies in multilateral development banks as accountability mechanisms.
