Claude E. Welch Jr.

Claude E. Welch, Jr. CV

"SUNY Distinguished Service Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. Welch received his undergraduate degree in Government at Harvard College in 1961, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He completed his doctoral degree at Oxford University in 1964. He has taught since then in Buffalo in the Department of Political Science, where he also directs the Human Rights Center.

"His publications have focused on Africa, human rights, and the political roles of armed forces. Major books include NGOs and Human Rights: Promise and Performance (2001), Protecting Human Rights in Africa: Roles and Strategies of Non-Governmental Organizations (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995; paperback edition 2000; selected by Choice as one of the outstanding academic books of 1995), Asian Perspectives on Human Rights (Westview, 1990), No Farewell to Arms? Military Disengagement from Politics in Africa and Latin America (Westview, 1987), Human Rights and Development in Africa (SUNY Press, 1984; selected by Choice as one of the outstanding academic books of 1984), Anatomy of Rebellion (SUNY Press, 1980), Civilian Control of the Military (SUNY Press, 1976), Military Role and Rule (Duxbury Press, 1974), Revolution and Political Change (Duxbury Press, 1972), Soldier and State in Africa (Northwestern University Press, 1970), Political Modernization (Wadsworth Publishing, 1967, second edition 1971), and Dream of Unity: Pan-Africanism and Political Unification in West Africa (Cornell University Press, 1966). Currently under preparation is Protecting Human Rights Globally: Roles and Strategies of International NGOs. He has published chapters in more than 35 other books, and over 40 articles in academic journals. In addition, he has chaired and participated in nearly 100 doctoral dissertation committees.

"Dr. Welch has presented invited lectures at Harvard University, Oxford University, the International Institute of Human Rights (Strasbourg), Beijing University, the Sun Yat-sen Institute (Taiwan), the Centre for Democratic Studies (Nigeria), Columbia University, the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies, and the National War College, among others. He edited Armed Forces & Society, the official quarterly journal of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, from 1987 to 1992, served as topic editor for “Armed Forces and Society” in the International Military and Defense Encyclopedia, and served on the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Army Command and Staff and College. He has consulted frequently with agencies of the United States Government on democratization, human rights and civil-military relations. He is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch, an international human rights monitoring group. During 1993/94, he carried out research in Africa and Europe on African human rights non-governmental organizations, with grants from the Fulbright Commission and United States Institute of Peace, and in 2000/01 in Europe and India with support from the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights and the US Institute of Peace.

"Dr. Welch has served the University at Buffalo as Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair of Political Science, Chair of the President's Board on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure, Chair of the Faculty Senate (twice) and chair of several major standing committees (including Academic Planning, Budget Priorities, the Council on International Studies and Programs, Public Service, Teaching Effectiveness, and the Undergraduate College Curriculum Committee). He developed and co-directed the annual workshop for new faculty. He is a fellow of the African Studies Association and of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, and has been a consultant to the National Academy of Sciences, USAID and UNESCO, among others." Also see


 * Member, Human Rights Watch Africa Advisory Committee (1989-2009)
 * Editor, Armed Forces & Society
 * Editorial review board, Human Rights Quarterly, 1993-present
 * Secretary, Buffalo-area branch of American Civil Liberties Union, 1972-74

Related Sourcewatch

 * Ronald I. Meltzer
 * Arthur K. Smith
 * Mavis Bunker Taintor
 * Mahmood Monshipouri

Assorted Work

 * 1998      “Civil-Military Relations: USAID’s Role” (with Johanna Mendelson); published by G/DG section of USAID
 * Invited presentation on the strengths and weaknesses of the new international court established to try Sierra Leone war criminals, conference on military coups in West Africa and regional instability, sponsored by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the U.S. Department of State and the National Intelligence Council, Washington DC, March 5, 2004.

Selected Grants

 * "The African Commission on Human Rights," US Institute of Peace, October 1991-June 1992 ($15,000).
 * "Summer Internship Program in International Organization," Ford Foundation ($180,000 for three years, 1991-93, with Virginia Leary; this was linked to the first-ever human rights law clinic established in the United States).
 * "Summer Internship Program in International Organization," planning grant 1989-90 from the Ford Foundation ($41,740) (with Virginia Leary); extended for 1990-91 ($45,127).
 * "Human Rights and Development in Asia," grants 1987 from "Conversations in the Disciplines ($2,500); Ford Foundation ($25,000 for travel costs for participants); Council on International Studies and Programs ($900); Faculties of Social Sciences and of Law and Jurisprudence ($1,500); and other University sources.