Pierre M. Atlas

Prior to joining the O’Neill School in fall 2021, Pierre Atlas was a Professor of Political Science at Marian University and, for 17 years, served as the Founding Director of The Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies, where he created and directed Marian’s interdisciplinary global studies program and its annual speaker series. At Marian, he taught courses in comparative politics, American politics, international relations, global studies, peace and justice studies, and criminal justice. Dr. Atlas teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the Public Affairs and Criminal Justice programs for the O’Neill School.

A comparative political scientist by training, Dr. Atlas devoted much of his academic career to studying and writing about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and other conflicts and conflict resolution. More recently, his comparative research and publications have examined how the legacy of the North American frontier helps to explain contemporary political differences between the United States and Canada on issues such as Indigenous policy, the role of government, and gun laws and gun culture.

Dr. Atlas writes a monthly opinion column for the Indianapolis Business Journal and, before that, was an opinion columnist for The Indianapolis Star for 16 years. A native of Texas, he grew up in California and is a U.S. Army veteran.

Education

• Ph.D., Political Science, Rutgers University, 2000
• M.A., Political Science, University of Arizona, 1993
• B.A., Political Science and History, University of Toronto, 1984

Professional Experience

• Professor of Political Science, Marian University (2016–2021)
• Founding Director, The Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies, Marian University (2003–2020)
• Associate Professor of Political Science, Marian University (2008–2016)
• Assistant Professor of Political Science, Marian University (2002–2008)
• Adjunct Instructor, IUPUI, (2000–2003)
• Adjunct Instructor, Butler University (2001–2002)

Highlights

• Faculty Affiliate, Center for the Study of the Middle East, Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University
• AP U.S. Government and Politics exam reader for College Board (2007–present)
• Senior Fellow, Sagamore Institute, (2005–present)
• Board of Directors, Indiana Council on World Affairs and Crane Center for Mass Atrocity Prevention; member, Indiana Leadership Council of Anti-Defamation League-Midwest
• Member of Governing Council, World (formerly Western) Social Science Association (2023-2026); Canadian Studies Section Coordinator for WSSA (2017–2022)
• Monthly opinion columnist, Indianapolis Business Journal (2019–present)
• Opinion columnist, The Indianapolis Star (2003–2018)
• Peer reviewer for Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence applications (2015–2017)
• U.S. Army language student (Arabic), Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California (1987–1989)