Brown University PHD in IR

[mrmirv]

Hello,

I am really thinking of applying to this school. Its main appeal is it is very close to me geographically. I want to focus on IR in my PHD. I would like to study nuclear proliferation more then likely. Anyone have any knowledge on this school beyond the normal stuff.

[IRmiester666]

I know a bit about the progran, but this is probably considered the "normal stuff".

IR is pretty good there (probably better than the overall Poli Sci ranking).

They have an IR center there too (can't remember the name off the top of my head) that is probably a good resource for research support and sharing ideas.

Its a small program though, with a low acceptance rate. I'm guessing it gets a lot of applications because of an interaction of two factors. 1) it is a recognizable, Ivy League university. 2) the poli sci dept is not ranked very high.

Perhaps applicants see it as an easy way into an elite university?

That being said, you shouldn't pick based on location, but if its just a nice plus, then so be it.

[mrmirv]

I know a bit about the progran, but this is probably considered the "normal stuff".

IR is pretty good there (probably better than the overall Poli Sci ranking).

They have an IR center there too (can't remember the name off the top of my head) that is probably a good resource for research support and sharing ideas.

Its a small program though, with a low acceptance rate. I'm guessing it gets a lot of applications because of an interaction of two factors. 1) it is a recognizable, Ivy League university. 2) the poli sci dept is not ranked very high.

Perhaps applicants see it as an easy way into an elite university?

That being said, you shouldn't pick based on location, but if its just a nice plus, then so be it.

I know picking on location is not an easy choice. I may have to because of my family situation and my wife's employment. Brown does have the Watson Center which seems great. I was curious about Job placement after you have the degree?

[Penelope Higgins]

I don't have any systematic info on placement and there is none on the Brown website. But the department and the IR group have gotten stronger in the last couple of years with the hiring of Varshney, McDermott and a few other folks, and placement should improve accordingly.

I know picking on location is not an easy choice. I may have to because of my family situation and my wife's employment. Brown does have the Watson Center which seems great. I was curious about Job placement after you have the degree?

[IRmiester666]

I know picking on location is not an easy choice. I may have to because of my family situation and my wife's employment. Brown does have the Watson Center which seems great. I was curious about Job placement after you have the degree?

Unstandable about the family restraints. Unfortunately, it seems like academia caters to nerdy loners like myself

You might want to contact the department about placements in IR.

[gravityflyer]

I would suggest looking at other schools. While Sharon Krause told me that department is seeking to bolster its reputation in IR, I personally doubt this will be achieved within the near term given economic constraints. As noted above they do have McDermott but she is not a permanent hire and may return to UCSB after the 2010-2011 academic year. Moreover, I believe her expertise is political psychology which would have little bearing on proliferation issues from a realist perspective. There is no benefit in attending a school without a relevant advisor. MIT and Harvard Kennedy School (not the government department) are both excellent schools with renowned scholars on nuclear proliferation. As a former resident of Boston, I know several colleagues who make the daily commute from Providence. These would be far better choices for you.

[mrmirv]

I would suggest looking at other schools. While Sharon Krause told me that department is seeking to bolster its reputation in IR, I personally doubt this will be achieved within the near term given economic constraints. As noted above they do have McDermott but she is not a permanent hire and may return to UCSB after the 2010-2011 academic year. Moreover, I believe her expertise is political psychology which would have little bearing on proliferation issues from a realist perspective. There is no benefit in attending a school without a relevant advisor. MIT and Harvard Kennedy School (not the government department) are both excellent schools with renowned scholars on nuclear proliferation. As a former resident of Boston, I know several colleagues who make the daily commute from Providence. These would be far better choices for you.

Thanks Gravity for the advise! I would be doing a similar commute. I just hope I could get into such schools! Thank you

[polisciphd]

Yep, Brown is not the place to study nuclear proliferation (from someone who studies nuclear proliferation).

[mrmirv]

Yep, Brown is not the place to study nuclear proliferation (from someone who studies nuclear proliferation).

Hello,

What schools would you recommend?

[polisciphd]

Hello,

What schools would you recommend?

If you can be a little more specific about what aspects of nuclear proliferation you are interested in studying, I can offer some assistance. Also, what kind of methodology do you intend to focus on, qualitative, quantitative or formal? Makes a pretty big difference to where you should be looking to apply.

[mrmirv]

If you can be a little more specific about what aspects of nuclear proliferation you are interested in studying, I can offer some assistance. Also, what kind of methodology do you intend to focus on, qualitative, quantitative or formal? Makes a pretty big difference to where you should be looking to apply.

Most definitely qualitative. I am not sure what aspect exactly. I know this is vague so i apologize in advance.

[polisciphd]

Most definitely qualitative. I am not sure what aspect exactly. I know this is vague so i apologize in advance.

Then you may want to look at individual scholars who have particular perspectives on nuclear proliferation, as opposed to schools. For instance, John Mueller and Scott Sagan are what are known as proliferation pessimists, whereas some of the big name realists like Mearsheimer or Waltz are more in the proliferation optimist camp. It would be different if you were looking for someplace with rigorous formal or quantitative training (I'm at UIUC, heavy quant training here).