T.V. Paul

T.V. Paul is a Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Political Science at McGill University. He has held leadership roles including President of the International Studies Association (2016-17) and leadership of the Global Research Network on Peaceful Change (GRENPEC, 2019–present). His research focuses on international security, South Asian studies, nuclear non-proliferation, and peaceful change strategies. Paul earned his PhD from UCLA (1991) and has held visiting positions at Harvard, Stanford, and other institutions.

Education: B.A. and M.A. from Kerala University (India), MPhil from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and PhD from UCLA. Early career included journalism at the Press Trust of India (1980–1985).

Research Interests: Paul is a leading scholar of international security, emphasizing puzzle-driven approaches and eclectic modeling. He pioneered studies on asymmetric conflicts, soft balancing, and the tradition of nuclear non-use. His work bridges theoretical paradigms with policy-relevant analysis, particularly on India’s geopolitical trajectory and global power dynamics.

Key Achievements: Authored/co-authored 24 books and 85+ journal articles. Edited major volumes like Status in World Politics and Balance of Power: Theory and Practice in the 21st Century. Awards include Royal Society of Canada Fellowship (2018) and ISA-Canada Distinguished Scholar Award (2024).

Advocacy & Networks: Spearheaded the Global South Task Force as ISA President and founded GRENPEC to advance peaceful change research. Served as editor of the South Asia in World Affairs book series and on editorial boards of leading journals.