Lisa Anderson

Lisa Anderson (born October 16, 1950) is an American political scientist and the former President of the American University in Cairo (AUC).

Research and career A specialist on Middle Eastern and North African politics, Anderson served as the President of AUC from 2011 to 2016 and as Provost from 2008 to 2010. Lisa Anderson had an open door policy for students to directly discuss issues with her regarding all aspects of the university and the surrounding political turmoil. Anderson's demeanor was pragmatic, open, and flexible.

Affiliations Anderson is the former president of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) and former chair of the board of the Social Science Research Council. She is member emerita of the board of Human Rights Watch, where she served as co-chair of Human Rights Watch/Middle East, co-chair of the International Advisory Board of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and member of the International Advisory Council of the World Congress for Middle East Studies.

Education Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Recognition In 2002, Anderson received an honorary doctor of laws from Monmouth University. In 2015, she received an honorary degree from the American University in Paris and was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Selected publications Pursuing Truth, Exercising Power: Social Science and Public Policy in the Twenty-first Century (Columbia University Press, 2003) The State and Social Transformation in Tunisia and Libya, 1830–1980 (Princeton University Press, 1986) Transitions to Democracy, Editor (Columbia University Press, 1999) The Origins of Arab Nationalism (co-editor; Columbia University Press, 1991)