Professors Mullen and Wilkerson Engage with the Williamsburg Community
The League of Woman Voters, a nonpartisan political organization who encourages informed and active participation in government, is conducting their 37th Great Decisions series.
The series is based in foreign policy and features different speakers each Tuesday over a two-month period. Professors Larry Wilkerson and Rani Mullen both spoke at the Williamsburg Public Library in association with this series, each sharing their experiences and research in Foreign Policy.
Professor Rani Mullen spoke on February 18 about India and Pakistan relations. Her research focuses on democratization in South Asia, specifically state building in India and Afghanistan. Prior to teaching at William & Mary, Professor Mullen worked for the Poverty and Social Policy Department of the World Bank for several years, was a consultant for U.S. Agency for International Development, and a legislative assistant to a member of the German parliament. Her talk took a deep dive into the history of India and Pakistan, the development of Kashmir, and China’s influence over the area. The full lecture can be accessed on YouTube.
Professor Larry Wilkerson’s talk was the first of the series and focused on climate change and global order. A large portion of his career was spent in the government, where he worked as Secretary of State Colin Powell's Chief of Staff. He began his career in the U.S. Army, where he served for 31 years, later working as a part of the staff responsible for East Asia and the Pacific, political-military and legislative affairs. After a long, impressive career with the government, Professor Wilkerson teaches classes on government and public policy at William & Mary. His talk is also available on YouTube.
Great Decisions’ mission is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. Foreign Policy and global issues. It is America’s largest discussion program on Foreign Affairs. Based in the belief that informed citizenship is a responsibility we all share, The League of Woman Voters put on the annual series to bolster globally minded conversations. The program will continue its lectures and discussions through the month of March, with topics ranging from Human Trafficking to Latin American Politics. A full roster of events can be located on their website.
