Professor Edmund Malesky is named Oscar L. Tang Family Distinguished Professor of Political Science
The end of the academic year brings a combination of emotions, but all of us at APSI are thrilled by the news that Professor Edmund Malesky has been named Oscar L. Tang Family Distinguished Professor of Political Science.
Malesky specializes in Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Vietnam. His research spans comparative politics and international political economy, utilizing quantitative analytical tools along with deep knowledge of the country to examine complex questions related to policy and politics.
His primary work typically addresses at least one of three major areas, including authoritarian political institutions and their consequences; the political influence of foreign direct investment and multinational corporations; and political institutions, private business development and formalization.
In addition to his departmental role in political science, Professor Malesky has served as the director of the Duke Center for International Development since 2020; he will conclude his term in 2026.
With this newest recognition, he becomes one of several distinguished faculty at APSI, a cohort which includes:
- Rey Chow, Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Professor in the Humanities
- Prasenjit Duara, Oscar L. Tang Family Distinguished Professor of East Asian Studies
- Xi Lian, David Steinmetz Distinguished Professor of World Christianity
- Shitong Qiao, Ken Young-Gak Yun and Jinah Park Yun Distinguished Professor of Law
- Gennifer Weisenfeld, Walter H. Annenberg Distinguished Professor of Art and Art History
- Daniel (Yi) Xu, David Rubenstein Distinguished Professor of Economics
Duke University’s Board of Trustees approved the awarding of Distinguished Professorships, effective July 1, 2026, during its February meeting.
The 38 faculty will be individually recognized in a ceremony at the Washington Duke Inn on May 18.
Read about the newest cohort of distinguished faculty at Duke >>