Eric Brahm
Department of Political Science
Office: A216 WRI
Office Phone: 702.895.1498
E-mail: eric.brahm at
unlv.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D.,
Political Science,
● Primary
Faculty Advisors: Roland Paris (chair), David Brown, James Scarritt,
Steven Poe.
Institute
for Qualitative Research Methods,
M.A., Political Science,
Honors B.A., Cum Laude, Political Science
and Anthropology,
●
Year-long study abroad at
DISSERTATION
“Truth
and Consequences: The Impact of Truth Commissions in Transitional Societies.”
Growing
interest in truth commissions has produced little agreement as to their
long-term impact on a state's political and social development. Although most argue they are beneficial, a
growing chorus of critics sees truth commissions as either ineffectual or
dangerous. With many of these arguments based on normative conviction and
anecdotal evidence, this project begins to adjudicate amongst these claims by
making preliminary conclusions regarding the consequences of truth-seeking. To
do so, I use a multi-method approach to begin to adjudicate amongst
these claims regarding the consequences of truth-seeking. It does so by looking
at patterns of democratization and human rights protection cross-nationally and
through a series of case studies that utilize quasi-experiments to isolate
truth commission effects. Overall, there is some evidence to support the
contention that truth commissions contribute to better human rights practices
in the future. On the democracy dimension, however, there is weak support for
the contention that truth commissions are beneficial.
EMPLOYMENT
Assistant Professor,
Research Assistant, Conflict Research Consortium
(CRC),
Lead
Graduate Instructor, Department of Political Science,
Teaching Assistant, Department of Political Science,
International Trafficking and Customer Service. Datex-Ohmeda Inc., Madison, WI,
1995-9.
RESEARCH AND TEACHING INTERESTS
Human
Rights, Democratization and Transitional Justice, Peacebuilding, Conflict
Processes and Conflict Resolution, International Organization and Law, and
Globalization.
PUBLICATIONS
AND ACADEMIC WRITING
"
“Transitional Justice, Civil Society and the
Development of the Rule of Law in Post-Conflict Societies.” International Journal of
Not-for-Profit Law. 9:4 (2007).
“Uncovering the Truth: Examining Truth Commission
Success and Impact.” International Studies
Perspectives. 8:1 (February 2007) 16-35.
"AIDS/HIV,"
in Social Issues in
“Stabilization
and the Problem of Insurgency,” “Truth Commissions,” “International Law,” “Role
of IGOs,” “Trauma Healing,” “Conflict Stages,”
“Latent Conflict Stage,” “Hurting Stalemate,” “Negotiation Stage,”
“Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Stage,” “Elections,” “Election Monitoring,”
“Diplomacy,” “Shuttle Diplomacy,” “Propaganda,” “Scapegoating,”
“Costs of Intractable Conflict,” “Benefits of Conflict,” “Social Movements,”
“Peace Education,” “Civic Education,” and “Designing New Dispute Resolution
Systems” (co-authored). Beyond
Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess.
Conflict Research Consortium,
“Book
Review: Courtney Jung, Then I Was Black: South African Political Identities in
Transition.” Nationalism and Ethnic Politics 8:4
(Winter 2002) 121-3.
“Globalization,
Modernity, and Their Discontents: A Review Essay and Bibliography for the
Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences’ (CARTSS) 2002-3
Seminar Series.” <http://faculty.unlv.edu/ericbrahm/globalizationreview.pdf>.
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATIONS
“Defining the Truth Commission Universe,” Presented at the Western
Political Science Association Annual
Meeting,
“A Genealogy of Truth
Commissions,” Presented at the International Studies Association – West Annual
Meeting,
“A Multi-Method
Approach to Truth Commissions,” Presented at the American
Political Science Association Annual Meeting,
“Truth and Central
American Peacebuilding,” Presented at the International Studies
Association Annual Meeting,
“Truth
and Rights: Truth Commissions and Human Rights Protection in a Cross-National
Context,” Presented at the American Political Science Association Annual
Meeting,
“Getting to the Bottom of the Truth: Evaluating
the Contribution of Truth Commissions to Post Conflict Societies,” Presented at
the International Studies Association Annual Meeting,
“Patterns of Truth: Examining Truth Commission
Impact in Cross-National Context,” Presented at the International Studies
Association Annual Meeting,
“Movement Evolution: Continuities and Change
in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS,” Presented at the International Studies
Association Annual Meeting,
“The Healing Touch?
Assessing the Effectiveness of Truth Commissions,” Presented at the Western
Political Science Association Annual Meeting,
GRANTS, AWARDS, and HONORS
Research
● 2005-6, 2004-5, 2003-4, and 2002-3 CU
● 2005-6, 2004-5, 2003-4 CU Political Science
Department Travel Grant.
● 2005 American Political Science Association
Travel Grant.
● 2005 Political Science Department Summer
Graduate Research
● 2004 International Studies Association Travel
Grant.
● 2003-4 de
Tocqueville Initiative Fellow (declined).
● 2002 and 2003
Teaching
● 2005-6 Silver “Best Should Teach” Award,
● 2000-2 Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Fellow,
Political Science Department,
COURSES TAUGHT
Introduction
to International Relations
International
Human Rights
International Behavior
Introduction to
International Affairs (Teaching Assistant)
Introduction to Comparative Politics (Teaching Assistant)
The American Presidency
(Teaching Assistant)
SERVICE
Liberian
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chicago outreach project, 2007.
Reviewer
for International Studies Quarterly, Journal
of Peace Research, International
Journal of Transitional Justice, Journal of Human Rights, Polity Press,
Palgrave Macmillan Press.
Consultant to
UNLV Asian Politics Search
Committee, 2006-7.
UNLV Political Science
Department Course and Curriculum Committee, 2006-7.
Pi Sigma Alpha (the national
political science honor society) chapter advisor, 2006-7.
Chair,
2006 ISA-West Panel FA3: “The New Peace or the New War? Implications of Economic
Coercion, and Engagement Alternatives”
Ronald E. McNair Program
graduate student mentor, 2005-6.
Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Science's
(CARTSS) Board Member, 2002-6.
Honors
Thesis Committee for Morgan Oberhaus, “Defending Environmental
and Community Rights with a Human Rights Framework: The Case of Intag,” Fall 2004.
PROFESSIONAL
ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
American
Political Science Association
Western
Political Science Association
LANGUAGE
PROFICIENCY AND TRAINING
Intermediate
Mandarin Chinese
2001-2
1996-9 University of Wisconsin – Madison.