Laila Sorurbakhsh
About Laila Sorurbakhsh
Laila Sorurbakhsh is an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at The George Washington University, where she has held various academic positions since 2019. She specializes in Comparative Politics, American Politics, and Quantitative Methods, and her research focuses on advocacy groups in the European Union.
Work at The George Washington University
Laila Sorurbakhsh has been serving as an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at The George Washington University since 2019. In addition to her teaching role, she holds the position of Associate Director of the Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP) program. Her responsibilities include overseeing program development and enhancing the educational experience for students in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. Since 2020, she has also been the Director of Online Education at the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she focuses on expanding online learning opportunities.
Education and Expertise
Laila Sorurbakhsh earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science and Government from the University of Houston, completing her studies from 2004 to 2012. Her dissertation, titled 'Feedback in the EU Advocacy System,' investigates the effects of changes within the European Union on interest group populations. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Government and English from The University of Texas at Austin, which she obtained from 2001 to 2004. Her areas of specialization include Comparative Politics, American Politics, and Quantitative Methods.
Background
Before joining The George Washington University, Laila Sorurbakhsh held various academic positions. She worked as a Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Houston-Downtown from 2017 to 2019 and as a Professorial Lecturer at American University from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 2014 to 2015. Her experience includes teaching and contributing to the academic community at multiple institutions.
Research Contributions
Laila Sorurbakhsh has published original research in notable academic journals, including European Political Science and Interest Groups & Advocacy. Her research primarily focuses on advocacy groups in Brussels, Belgium, and includes conducting interviews with these groups to gather insights. This work contributes to the understanding of political dynamics and the role of advocacy within the European context.