Meet our new faculty: Kyle Lascurettes
Open gallery
The following Q&A is part of a series created by the college dean’s office to introduce new faculty. Get to know Assistant Professor of International Affairs Kyle Lascurettes, who joins the faculty this fall, in the interview below.
Education: I received my PhD and MA from the University of Virginia, and my BA from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York.
Research and Teaching Interests: International relations theory, international order and global governance, international security, American foreign policy
What most excites you about joining the Lewis & Clark community?
I had an outstanding experience at a liberal arts college as an undergraduate and always knew I wanted to teach at a similar place. What is especially great about Lewis & Clark, however, is that the Department of International Affairs has an unusually large faculty and campus presence for a smaller college. Small class sizes, smart students, great colleagues—there aren’t really any tradeoffs here, and that is very exciting.
Describe the current trajectory of your scholarly research.
I’m interested in how countries perceive phenomena in the wider world, and over time. My current book project focuses on the construction of international order. It asks when and why powerful states seek major changes to the foundational rules and institutions that inform order at particular moments throughout history. My second project will probably focus on why states and statesmen learn some lessons rather than others from formative events in international affairs.
What kind of hobbies or special activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I’m obsessed with grand slam tennis. I’m also a collector of Woodrow Wilson memorabilia and have convinced myself that I will write the definitive screenplay on Wilson and the League of Nations battle. But there’s a nasty rumor that Leonardo DiCaprio might have recently bought the film rights to Wilson’s biography. I’m not happy.
What were your childhood goals/aspirations?
I wanted to be a lawyer (like my father) or a professional wrestler (not like my father). I’m glad I outgrew both.
What are you listening to in your car right now?
Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town. I put it on during my road trip to Portland to amuse myself while driving through Badlands National Park (you can figure out why) and haven’t turned it off since.
What was your favorite childhood story?
My mom read more books to me before bed than any parent I’ve ever heard of. The Witches by Roald Dahl stands out as one that particularly delighted and terrified me.
