Hope K. McCoy

A diverse group of students smiling for a class field trip photo in front of the Historic Hoover Theatre in San Jose.

Dr. Hope K. McCoy is a Lecturer for the International Relations Program and the Civic, Liberal, & Global Education Program! She spoke with us about her areas of interest, her favorite courses to teach, and what she likes to do outside of the classroom!

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in the city of Chicago, and an interesting fact about my academic journey: I was originally a Classical Piano major at Northwestern University. I ended up changing majors and graduating in Psychology, but I still compose and perform music, and include the Arts in my research agenda. My PhD is from UCLA, after which I completed a research postdoc at the University of Southern California, before joining Stanford in 2022.

What are your areas of interest of study?

My work engages with the geopolitics of culture, and methods of cultural transmission in the Global Black Diaspora. My first book (2023): From Congo to GONGO: Higher Education, Critical Geopolitics, and the New Red Scare examines the role of culture in the history of diplomatic relations between Russia and Africa. My next project (funded by a 2025 Fulbright award) focuses on role of Afro-Caribbean culture in Global South-South economic partnerships.

What are some of your favorite courses to teach?

I am currently teaching a brand new course in IR titled, Soft Power & Geopolitics: the Art of Influence. Class activities range from analyzing Soviet propaganda posters, to reading Japanese Manga, to tracing the impact of Ethiopian Orthodoxy on politics. I have a wonderful class of students, and we recently attended a field trip to the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, followed by lunch at Walia Ethiopian restaurant in San Jose.

What do you like to do outside of Stanford?

I love to travel, and will be returning to Zanzibar this December for fieldwork. I am also musician--I play piano, sing, and compose, and my original music is available on all major streaming platforms. Here's a YouTube link, if you'd like to check it out: https://youtu.be/Qhmit0nH7zY?feature=shared.