CAROLYN COBERLY
Richmond, VA | carriecoberly@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/carolyncoberly/home
EDUCATION
University of Virginia
Ph.D. in Politics, 2024 (expected)
Fields: Comparative Politics (major), International Relations (minor)
Dissertation: “Elite strategies for party formation in electoral authoritarian regimes”
Harvard University
M.A. in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, 2001
Cornell University
B.A. magna cum laude in Government, 1997
TEACHING
Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University, Fall 2023-June 2024
Research Methods for Political Science (Fall 2023-Spring 2024)
Career Pathways: International Affairs (Spring 2024)
Visiting Assistant Professor, Wake Forest University, Fall 2020-Spring 2023
Introduction to Comparative Politics (Fall 2020-22)
Introduction to International Politics (Spring 2021-22)
Iranian Politics, 1953-Today (Fall 2020-22)
Politics of Russia and Eurasia (Spring 2021)
Democracy and Dictatorship (Spring 2022)
Instructor, University of Virginia, 2017-2019
Introduction to Research Methods for Political Science (Summer 2018, Spring 2019)
Iranian Politics, 1953-Today (Summer 2017)
Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia , 2014-2017
Introduction to Comparative Politics, Prof. David Waldner (Fall 2015, Fall 2016)
Introduction to Research Methods for Political Science, Prof. Lynn Sanders (Spring 2017)
Politics of Western Europe, Prof. Gerard Alexander, Spring 2016
Grader, Russian Politics and Russia in World Affairs, Prof. Allen Lynch (Fall 2014-Spring 2017)
Grader, Politics of Public Policy, Prof. Andrew Pennock (Fall 2018)
SERVICE
Experiential Learning Coordinator, Department of Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, July 2023-June 2024
Developed new scholarship to promote student participation in internships, research, and study abroad.
Worked with community organizations to develop and advertise internships for VCU students.
Created and published a weekly newsletter and website to provide students information on experiential learning opportunities.
Advised students on career development individually and in campus-wide events.
University of Virginia
Student Coordinator, Lansing Lee/Bankard Seminar Series and Seminar on Internal War, 2015-2016
Politics Department Study Abroad Assistant, 2016-2017
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
New America Foundation, Advisor, Iran 2025 Project, 2015-2017
Prepared working papers and served as rapporteur for U.S.-Iran and U.S-North Korea Track II Dialogue meetings.
UVA Politics Department Experimental Laboratory, Research Assistant, 2015-2017
Developed participant and payment management systems for laboratory research on the psychological effects of terrorism. Developed and conducted laboratory experiments.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Officer, 2002-2014
Seven years of experience on Iran during tours in Dubai, Ankara, and Washington, DC. Directed analysis of Iran’s 2012 presidential elections and drafted U.S. government public responses to the 2009 Green Revolution. Managed $27 million in democracy promotion grants and over 20 cultural exchanges between Iran and the United States.
Three years of experience on Afghanistan during tours in Kabul and Washington, DC. Negotiated the transfer of U.S.-managed health clinics to the Afghan government and developed a capacity-building program for the Ministry of Refugees. Monitored $50 million in refugee assistance and arranged professional training for 50 newly-elected Members of Parliament.
Supervised staffs of 3-8 people in cross-cultural environments.
Received six Superior Honor Awards.
U.S. Congress
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), 2001-2002
Staff Assistant, Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee, Minority Staff (Office of Sen. Ted Kennedy), 1997-1999
RESEARCH
“Elite Preferences in Transition: Armenian politicians before and after a velvet revolution.” Research design presented at the Southern Political Science Association Conference, January 2019.
GRANTS, HONORS, AND FELLOWSHIPS
Dwight D. Eisenhower/Clifford Roberts Graduate Fellowship, 2019-2020
Dissertation Completion Fellowship, University of Virginia, 2019-2020
Title VIII Summer Research Scholarship, Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 2019
Carnegie International Policy Scholar, 2018-2019
Jefferson Fellow, University of Virginia, 2017-2019
Albert Gallatin Graduate Research Fellowship, University of Virginia, 2017-2018
Quandt International Research Grant, University of Virginia, 2017
Junior Fellow, University of Virginia Society of Fellows, 2016-2017
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Faculty Learning Community (Online Curriculum Development and Best Practices), Wake Forest University, 2020
c3 Curriculum Design, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia, 2020
Advanced Game Theory, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), University of Michigan, 2015.
LANGUAGES
Persian (Farsi and Dari), Russian, French
COMPUTER SKILLS
R, Stata, Qualtrics, zTree, Sona Participant Management System