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| Michael Ross, the world's foremost expert on the political and economic challenges of resource-rich countries, will speak at OU on March 26. |
In the wake of unprecedented declines in global oil prices, Oakland University’s 2015 Meadow Brook Lecture in International Affairs brings to campus the world’s leading expert on the political and economic challenges of resource-rich countries.
Dr. Michael Ross, a professor of political science at the University of California Los Angeles, will present this year’s lecture “The Geopolitics of Cheap Oil” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, in Meadow Brook Hall. The talk will focus on the effects that lower oil prices could have on oil-rich countries, which historically have faced challenges of political and economic unrest.
“Over the last decade, Dr. Ross has been at the forefront of understanding how an abundance of oil wealth makes countries less democratic, less economically stable, and more prone to civil war,” said Matthew Fails, assistant professor of political science. “His lecture will tackle the most critical challenge yet to these oil-producing countries, namely how, or if, they can withstand the dramatic drop in oil revenues, and how these global changes affect politics here in the United States.”
An award-winning researcher, Dr. Ross’ work has appeared in numerous academic journals, as well as in major news outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post and Financial Times. His 2012 book “The Oil Curse: How Petroleum Wealth Shapes the Development of Nations” drew wide acclaim in media and academic circles and was named an "Outstanding Academic Title” by Choice Magazine.
Dr. Ross has also served on advisory boards for the World Bank, the United Nations and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Dr. Fails at fails@oakland.edu.
In addition, Dr. Ross will meet with a class of students prior to the lecture. Space is limited. Students interested in attending the meeting should contact Dr. Fails.
Learn more about programs in Oakland’s Department of Political Science at oakland.edu/polisci.