Cynthia Horne

Cynthia Horne is a Professor in the Political Science Department at Western Washington University, where she has been since 2006. Her research focuses on Transitional Justice, Post-Soviet Politics & Economics, and International & Comparative Political Economy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and an M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Prior to academia, she worked in international development with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, focusing on banking and financial reforms in the Former Soviet Union.

• Research Highlights: Analysis of lustration policies and their impact on democratization in post-communist states.
• Fieldwork Experience: Extensive engagement in Hungary, Indonesia, Poland, and Romania.

Teaching & Advising: Teaches courses on International Political Economy, Globalization, and Comparative Political Economy. Serves as faculty advisor for joint majors in Political Science/Economics and Philosophy, Politics & Economics. Advises students considering professional Master’s programs in international relations.

Research Trends: Her work examines how states address historical injustices post-authoritarian transitions, with a focus on lustration mechanisms, institutional trust, and policy effectiveness. Recent studies explore informal justice mechanisms in Eastern Europe and the temporal dynamics of transitional justice measures.

Grants & Collaborations: Conducted research during a 2012-2013 sabbatical as a visiting scholar at the University of Bucharest and the Center for the Study of Democracy in Bulgaria. No specific grants mentioned, but her work is supported by institutional affiliations and academic collaborations.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary projects with political economists and legal scholars focused on transitional justice, though no dedicated lab is explicitly noted.