Matthew Fehrs

Matthew Fehrs is an Associate Professor of Political Science at St. Mary's College of Maryland, where he has served since 2009. He coordinates the Democracy Studies program and co-directs the St. Mary's Washington Program, which integrates summer internships with coursework and alumni mentorship in Washington, D.C.

His academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Psychology & Political Studies from Pitzer College (1998)
• M.A. in International Affairs from Columbia University (2002)
• Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University (2008)

Professor Fehrs specializes in international relations with deep expertise in peace and conflict studies, domestic politics in conflict zones, and the mechanisms of reconciliation between former adversaries. His research examines how leaders navigate post-conflict rapprochement, analyzing historical cases through the lens of diplomatic signaling and leadership psychology. This work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in international security.

His recent publications reveal consistent focus on leadership dynamics in foreign policy crises, historical conflicts like the Falklands War, and systematic patterns in diplomatic reconciliation. These works, featured in Foreign Policy Analysis, Democracy and Security, and Diplomacy & Statecraft, demonstrate rigorous methodology combining case studies with comparative analysis across international security contexts.

No scientific awards are documented in the source material.

Professor Fehrs has successfully mentored students into prestigious positions at the State Department, Department of Defense, USAID, top law schools, and PhD programs, while also guiding Peace Corps volunteers. The St. Mary's Washington Program he co-directs serves as a pipeline for government careers through its structured internship-mentorship model.

He maintains active affiliations with the American Political Science Association, International Studies Association, and Midwest Political Science Association. Previously, he was a post-doctoral fellow at Ohio State University's Mershon Center for International Security Studies.