CAROLYN COBERLY
Richmond, VA | carriecoberly@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/carolyncoberly/home
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Virginia Commonwealth University, Instructor and Experiential Learning Coordinator, Department of Political Science, 2023-present
Designed and taught undergraduate courses on qualitative and quantitative research methods and skills development for careers in diplomacy for 100 students total.
Developed and distributed a new stipend to promote student participation in internships, research, and study abroad.
Conducted outreach to community organizations to create and advertise student work.
Advised over 100 students on career development individually and in campus events.
Wake Forest University, Visiting Assistant Professor, Politics and International Affairs Department, 2020-2023
Designed undergraduate courses on comparative politics, international relations, Russia and Eurasia, Iran, prediction, and democratization for 330 students total.
Taught students to write policy memos, research designs, and analytical essays.
Developed online learning and information literacy content for use by other faculty.
University of Virginia, Instructor and PhD Candidate, Department of Politics, 2014-2020
Designed and taught undergraduate courses on research methods (including statistics and R), Iran, and comparative politics for 240 students total.
Conducted and evaluated surveys and structured interviews of politicians and civil society activists in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Designed a field experiment to evaluate strategies for combating corruption in Armenia.
Supervised undergraduate laboratory research on psychological responses to terrorism and statistical research on democratization.
New America Foundation, Advisor, Iran 2025 Project, 2015-2017
Prepared working papers and served as rapporteur for Track II Dialogue meetings between Iran and the United States and North Korea and the United States.
U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Officer, 2002-2014
As Deputy Director of the Iran Office in Dubai (2011-14), directed analysis of Iran’s 2012 presidential elections and managed over 20 cultural exchanges between Iran and the United States. Supervised a staff of eight American and local staff.
As Refugee Coordinator in Kabul (2010-11), negotiated an agreement with the Afghan Ministry of Health for control of refugee health programs and developed a capacity building program for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation. Monitored and evaluated $50 million in humanitarian assistance and supervised a staff of two.
As an Afghanistan Desk Officer (2009-10), coordinated U.S. policy on detentions in Afghanistan across the Department of Defense and four bureaus of the Department of State, leading to a plan to transfer detention facilities to Afghan control.
As Special Assistant to Ambassador Dennis Ross (2009), provided real-time analysis of and developed U.S. government public messages for Iran’s Green Revolution.
As Iran Desk Officer (2007-8), developed a new strategy to promote democracy in Iran, including a public messaging approach, which reduced public opposition while maintaining Congressional intent for Iran funding. Managed $27 million in grants and a staff of three.
As a Political Officer in Kabul (2005-6), monitored Afghanistan’s first parliamentary elections and arranged professional training for 50 newly-elected Members of Parliament.
Also served as a Watch Officer (2006-7) and Visa Officer in Ankara, Turkey (2003-5).
U.S. Congress
Legislative Assistant, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), 2001-2002. Wrote speeches, op-eds, and legislation on Mideast policy, bioterrorism, and women’s issues.
Staff Assistant, Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee, Minority Staff (Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Health Office), 1997-1999.
EDUCATION
University of Virginia, Ph.D. in Politics, 2024 (expected)
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
HONORS AND FELLOWSHIPS
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
Received six Superior Honor Awards at the Department of State for tours in Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Washington, DC, and Dubai.
SKILLS AND LANGUAGES
Advanced statistical analysis in R and Stata
Persian (Farsi and Dari), Russian, French