Brian Rathbun

Brian Rathbun is a Professor and Munk Chair in Global Affairs at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, with cross-appointments in Political Science and Psychology. His research integrates political, social, evolutionary, and moral psychology into international relations, addressing questions about rationality, morality, and ideology in foreign policy. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (2002) and previously taught at the University of Southern California.

Rathbun’s work focuses on moral foundations of international politics, including how ethics shape diplomacy, populism, and global security. His books include *Diplomacy’s Value* (2014), *Reasoning of State* (2019), and *Right and Wronged in International Relations* (2024), which have won major awards in the field. His research spans public opinion on cybersecurity, populism, and historical case studies like Nazi Germany’s foreign policy.

He is a recipient of the USC Parents Association Teaching Award (2009) and the ISA Distinguished Scholar designation (2019). His interdisciplinary approach employs surveys, experiments, and archival studies to explore how domestic ideologies influence international strategy.

Rathbun’s current projects examine moral revolutions in international relations, the psychological underpinnings of populism, and the role of trust in multilateral institutions. His work bridges theoretical innovation with empirical rigor, challenging traditional realist paradigms.