Jennifer Cooke

Jennifer Cooke is an Associate Professor of the Practice of International Affairs and Director of both the Institute for African Studies and the Master of International Policy and Practice Program at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. She leads research and policy analysis on African political, economic, and security dynamics.

Her academic background includes an M.A. in African Studies and International Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a B.A. in Government (magna cum laude) from Harvard University. Prior to GWU, she spent 18 years directing the Africa Program at CSIS, focusing on issues such as violent extremism in the Sahel, China's engagement with Africa, and Nigeria's democratic transitions.

Cooke's research interests emphasize U.S. foreign policy toward Africa, transnational security threats, and Africa's evolving energy sectors. She has conducted fieldwork across Africa, including election monitoring in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, and Nigeria. Her expertise is frequently sought by policymakers, including Congress and AFRICOM, for strategic insights on African affairs.