Helen R. Desfosses is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy, and Africana Studies. She is also Professor in Residence at the New York State Assembly Internship Program. She served as President of the Albany Common Council, the city legislature, from 1997-2005. She is also a regular political commentator on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, and area television.
Desfosses is the author of several books and articles on national and international policy issues. She teaches courses on public policy, legislative politics, and Africa. She has served as a consultant on legislative development around the world, including Lebanon, Jordan,Morocco, Bulgaria, Kenya, Uganda, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Her research has been supported by the Ford Foundation, the American Association of University Women, the National Academy of Sciences, the US Department of State, and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Her most recent book, Designs for Democratic Stability. Studies in Viable Constitutionalism, was co-edited with Abdo Baaklini.
