Clark C. Gibson

Clark C. Gibson is a Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Political Science Department at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He also serves as Director of the International Studies Program and co-director of the Center for African Political Economy (CSAPE). His research focuses on the politics of democracy, development, and environmental governance, with a regional emphasis on Africa, while also examining issues in Latin America, Asia, and the U.S.

Education: PhD in Comparative Politics and Political Economy from Duke University (1995).

Key roles include leadership in CSAPE, which explores Africa's political economy through interdisciplinary research on accountability, voting behavior, and public service provision. His work bridges academia and policy, addressing topics like foreign aid effectiveness and conservation politics. He has authored/co-authored six books, including Politicians and Poachers: The Political Economy of Wildlife Policy in Africa and The Samaritan's Dilemma: The Political Economy of Development Aid.

Gibson teaches courses on African politics, environmental conservation in developing countries, and international studies. His affiliations include the Social Sciences Building at UCSD, where he maintains an active research agenda and graduate student mentorship.