Susanna Wing

Susanna Wing is The William Penn Foundation Professor in Political Science and Professor of Political Science at Haverford College, where she also serves as Coordinator of African and Africana Studies. Her research focuses on African politics, constitutionalism, and women's rights, with extensive fieldwork in Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria.

Her educational background includes:

• B.A. in International Relations and French, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.A. in African Area Studies, University of California, Los Angeles
• M.A. in Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles
• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles

Wing's research spans several interconnected themes:

• Constitutionalism and Legal Reform: Her work examines democracy, constitutionalism, and the interaction of individuals with the formal judicial sector, evolving from a focus on democratic transitions to the practical workings of the judiciary.
• Military Intervention and Security: She analyzes coups, foreign interventions, and security challenges in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, with a focus on the implications of French and international military operations.
• Women's Rights: Gender is integral to her research, especially in the context of justice and human rights, with a focus on women's claims-making in courts in Benin and the impact of legal reform on women's rights in Francophone Africa.

Over the past decade, Wing's publications have increasingly focused on security challenges in Mali and women's rights in Benin. Her recent book, "Governance and Intervention in Mali: Elusive Security" (2024), synthesizes her long-term research on governance and intervention. She has also published extensively in top journals such as Journal of Modern African Studies, African Affairs, and Democratization, reflecting a deep engagement with both theoretical and practical aspects of African politics.

Wing's scholarly contributions have been recognized with an award for her book "Constructing Democracy in Transitioning Societies of Africa".

Wing has applied her expertise through consulting roles with major international organizations and as an expert witness. Her professional engagements include:

• Consultant for the World Bank
• Consultant for USAID
• Consultant for Freedom House
• Expert witness on women's rights for asylum cases