Pamela Starr

Pamela Starr is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern California, with additional affiliations at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Pacific Council on International Policy. She bridges academic research and policy advisory, focusing on Latin American political economy and U.S.-Mexico relations.

• Ph.D., International Relations, University of Southern California, 1993
• M.A., Latin American Studies, Tulane University, 1983
• B.A., Political Science, California State University, Northridge, 1982

Her research explores Mexican politics and foreign policy, U.S.-Mexico bilateral dynamics, public diplomacy in the Americas, and the comparative political economy of Latin America. She has contributed to debates on economic reforms, regional power structures, and the intersection of monetary policy with political outcomes.

Starr’s publications span analyses of Mexico’s political economy, dollarization, and free trade agreements. Current projects include a book under contract with Polity (2025) aimed at explaining Mexico’s political and economic landscape to international audiences. Her work often integrates policy briefs and op-eds for institutions like the Pacific Council and Council on Foreign Relations.

She has held roles as a Senior Analyst at the Eurasia Group (2006-2007) and earlier as an Assistant Professor at ITAM in Mexico (1997-2005). Her career merges academic rigor with real-world policy engagement, particularly through advisory roles in global think tanks.

Dr. Starr is affiliated with the USC Center on Public Diplomacy and previously directed the U.S.-Mexico Network (2011-2012). Her expertise in Latin American political economy continues to influence both scholarly and diplomatic communities.