Professor selected as member of national group of outstanding scholars of Asia

Jonathan Schwartz, associate professor of political science at the State University of New York at New Paltz, has been named a 2010–2011 Research Associate of the National Asia Research Program (NARP) by The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Schwartz was one of 39 outstanding scholars of Asia that were chosen through a competitive, nationwide selection process based on their research into issues of importance to U.S. interests in Asia. The heads of universities and research organizations in the United States were invited to nominate outstanding scholars from their faculty and staff for consideration. More than 140 experts were considered during the selection process.

James Schiffer, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said, "It is a tremendous honor for Dr. Schwartz and for New Paltz that he has been chosen for this highly competitive grant. Dr. Schwartz will be among the top scholars on Asia participating in the program, and his work, along with that of other scholars, has the potential to influence U.S. foreign policy for years to come."

Schwartz, who was a 2007 Fulbright scholar in China, has expertise in the areas of political science analysis, especially as it relates to political developments in East Asia. His research within the framework of the National Asia Research Program focuses on comparative pandemic control initiatives in East Asia and the United States. Specifically, he seeks to draw lessons from best practices in pandemic response to develop recommendations for enhancing U.S. pandemic response capabilities.

Schwartz, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese , received his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Toronto, Canada, and his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and East Asian Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Since arriving at New Paltz in 2001, Schwartz has taught a wide array of courses in the department of Political Science and International Relations.

The NARP is a national research and conference program designed to reinvigorate and promote the policy-relevant study of Asia. The NARP will support the research of 27 Research Associates and 12 Research Fellows during their two-year terms and bring it to the attention of policy makers at the inaugural Asia Policy Assembly in Washington D.C., June 17-18, 2010.

“Our goal in this new program is to highlight and reward scholars who have successfully bridged the gap between the academy and policy,” said NBR President and NARP co-director Richard Ellings. “America’s future security, prosperity and well-being will be deeply linked with Asia’s future and, thus, America needs some of its best and brightest to understand our interests in Asia – and the history, nations, peoples and issues of Asia.”

Founded in 1989 with a major grant from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, NBR is an independent, nonpartisan research institution committed to informing and strengthening policy in the Asia Pacific. NBR also helps train the next generation of scholars who concentrate on Asia.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the national, living memorial honoring President Woodrow Wilson. Created by an Act of Congress in 1968, the Center is a nonpartisan institution that promotes policy-relevant research and dialogue headquartered in Washington, D.C., and supported by public and private funds.