Jeffrey Taliaferro

Jeffrey W. Taliaferro is a Professor and Department Chair of Political Science at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences. He holds a dual appointment as a Lecturer at The Fletcher School. His expertise spans International Relations, Security Studies, and US foreign policy, with a focus on grand strategy, alliance politics, nuclear nonproliferation, and cybersecurity. Taliaferro earned his Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University (1997) following an AB in History and Political Science from Duke University (1991).

His research explores how great powers navigate security challenges, including his award-winning work Balancing Risks (2004), which won the APSA’s Robert L. Jervis and Paul W. Schroeder Award. His recent book Defending Frenemies (2019) examines US alliance dynamics and nonproliferation strategies. Taliaferro’s scholarship bridges theory and practice, addressing topics like peaceful change, cyber threats, and intelligence policy.

Teaching & Professional Activities: Taliaferro teaches courses on nuclear weapons, cybersecurity, and grand strategy. He has held editorial roles at International Security, Security Studies, and Review of International Studies. His service includes directing the CIA’s Historical Review Board and advising the National Academy of Sciences on national security-related social science. He has held fellowships at the Woodrow Wilson Center and the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Awards & Recognition: His accolades include the APSA award for Balancing Risks and prestigious fellowships supporting his research. His work frequently appears in top journals like International Security and Political Psychology.

Research Focus: Current projects examine how the US and allies manage security partnership crises. His interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis, theory, and policy implications, emphasizing realist frameworks while exploring domestic-international linkages in foreign policy.