Understanding Our New World with Francis Gavin

Johns Hopkins Scholar to Discuss How Policymakers Can Use History to Craft Strategy

Francis Gavin, professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and director of the Henry Kissinger Center for Global Affairs, will join the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation on Wednesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. CT.

Gavin will discuss his new book, Thinking Historically: A Guide to Statecraft and Strategy, with Institute director John Shaw. The book explores how the careful study of history can help policymakers develop effective strategies, offering a “historian’s checklist” of twelve key questions leaders should consider when making consequential decisions.

“Professor Gavin is an innovative and inspiring scholar who has just published a remarkable book about how the careful study of history can help policymakers craft effective policies,” Shaw said. “Thinking Historically should be read and studied by policymakers at all levels of government.”

Gavin has taught at Harvard, MIT, the University of Texas, and now Johns Hopkins SAIS. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago, Oxford, and the University of Pennsylvania. He also serves on the CIA Historical Panel and is the founding chair of the Board of Editors for the Texas National Security Journal.