Farida Jalalzai

Farida Jalalzai is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech's College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and Engagement. She joined the university in a newly created leadership role to enhance the college's international profile.

Her research centers on gender and politics, particularly the representation and behavior of women and minorities in political leadership. She has authored and co-edited several major books on women presidents and political empowerment, with a regional focus on Latin America and Brazil.

Her recent publications reflect a consistent scholarly focus on women's political leadership, executive power, and gendered political barriers across global contexts. These works often analyze structural and cultural obstacles to female leadership in both democratic and authoritarian regimes.

• Author of Shattered, Cracked or Firmly Intact?
• Author of Women Presidents of Latin America
• Co-author of Women’s Empowerment and Disempowerment in Brazil
• Co-editor of Measuring Women’s Political Empowerment Worldwide

She has contributed expert commentary to major media outlets such as CNN and The Conversation, discussing contemporary gender and political issues, including the U.S. gender gap in executive leadership and the rise of female opposition leaders.

Jalalzai earned her BA in Political Science and African and Afro-American Studies from SUNY College at Brockport, and her MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of Buffalo. She is actively engaged in research and academic leadership with no indication of retirement or former status.