Dr. Leena Thacker-Kumar
Dr. Leena Thacker-Kumar
Professor of Political ScienceSocial SciencesBiography
Leena Thacker Kumar is Professor of Political Science. She received her Ph.D. from Miami University, Ohio in 1993. She has served as an Assistant Chair of Political Science at UHD and also taught at Webster University, Vienna, Austria. Dr. Thacker Kumar teaches courses in U.S. government, International Terrorism, War in the Modern World and Middle East Politics.
Dr. Thacker Kumar has an active research portfolio which include conference presentations and article publications. Her research focuses on the evolving role of the state and the impact of Arab Spring on monarchies and dictatorships. In addition, she also focuses on various facets of International Terrorism including money laundering and terrorist financing and counterterrorism policies. Her articles have been published in refereed journals such as the International Journal of Economic Studies, Business Horizons, International Social Science Review, Forum on Public Policy, Social Science Quarterly and Dushkin Annual Editions. She was made presentations in national and International conferences including International Studies Association, American Political Science Association, Mid-West Political Science Association and the Oxford Roundtable on Terrorism and National Security at Oxford University, Oxford, U.K.
Degrees Earned
Doctorate degree: Political Science (Miami University)
Courses Taught
- POLS 2305 United States Government
- POLS 4305 Middle East Politics
- POLS 4310 International Terrorism
- POLS 4316 War in the Modern World
- POLS 4399 Directed Study
Experience Qualifications
Dr. Thacker-Kumar is a Professor of Political Science at UHD. She has a Ph.D. in International Relations and Comparative Politics from Miami University, Ohio. She has over twenty years of experience teaching Political Science courses including International Terrorism, War in the Modern World, and Federal Government. Dr. Thacker-Kumar has an active research portfolio with conference presentations, book reviews, and article publications in refereed journals such as International Journal of Economic Studies. Business Horizons, International Social Science Review, Forum on Public Policy, Social Science Quarterly and Dushkin Annual Editions. She was invited to participate in the Oxford Roundtable on Terrorism and National Security at Oxford University, UK. Dr. Thacker-Kumar has also worked with students on research topics some of which have culminated in joint publication.
More Information
"Arab Spring: Monarchies vs Dictatorships," NSSA, San Francisco, October 5-7, 2014.
"Uprisings in the Middle East: Role of the State," Annual Conference International Studies Association/ Western, Seattle, July, 2012.
"Bargaining Sovereignty: State Power and Networked Governance in a Global World." Co-authored with Joel Campbell and Steve Slagle, International Social Science Review, Volume 85, Numbers 3 & 4, Fall/Winter, 2010.
"Global Governance: The Case of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing," co-authored with Joel Campbell, Forum on Public Policy, Spring, 2009, pp 1-22.
"U.S. Foreign Policy in Asia Since 9/11: Temporary Alliances or Permanent Changes?" co-authored with Joel Campbell, International Social Science Review, Volume 81, Numbers 3/4, Fall, 2006.
Accomplishments:
University Funded Faculty Development Leave: 2011-2012
Grant for Service Learning of $2000 from the Office of Community Engagement, Spring, 2011
Organized Research Grant (University level). Received course release and funding, 2009.