Susan J. Pharr

Susan J. Pharr is the Edwin O. Reischauer Professor of Japanese Politics in the Department of Government at Harvard University, where she joined the faculty in 1987. She also serves as the director of the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations under the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. Previously, she held significant administrative roles, including Chair of the Government Department (1992–1995) and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (1996–1998).

Education

• Ph.D. in Political Science, Columbia University (1975)

Research Interests

Much of her research explores the social basis for democracy in Japan and East Asia, and the origins and development of civil society and its role in political change globally. Her current work investigates the evolving dynamics between citizens and states in Asia, with a focus on democratization, political ethics, environmental politics, and the impact of media and NGOs. Additional areas include:

• Comparative political behavior
• Japanese politics and foreign policy
• International relations of East Asia
• Domestic and international NGOs in politics
• Comparative politics of industrialized nations
• Political ethics and corruption
• Women and politics
• International political economy of development

Scientific Awards and Fellowships

• Member of the Council on Foreign Relations
• Visiting scholar at Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo
• Visiting scholar at Keio University
• Visiting fellow at Woodrow Wilson International Center of Scholars
• Visiting fellow at Brookings Institution
• Visiting fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford University