Juliet Johnson

Juliet Johnson is a Stanford IR graduate! She spoke with us about her areas of interest, her favorite topics within the IR Major, her current position and what she likes to do outside of the classroom!

Please introduce yourself! 

I'm Juliet Johnson (she/her), Class of 1989 but graduated in 1990 because I spent Fall 1989 at Stanford-in-Oxford. I claim two hometowns: Columbus, Ohio, and Phoenix, Arizona. Despite being an IR major, Oxford was my first opportunity to travel outside the US. I've made up for it since then by working and traveling all over the world. I currently live in Montreal, where I've been based since 2003.  

What were your IR specializations? 

The course I took in 1986 with the late Prof. Alexander Dallin on Soviet History (with now-Prof. Mike McFaul as my TA!) changed my life. I declared an IR major with a specialization in US-Soviet relations and took courses on topics like US and Soviet foreign policy, macroeconomics, and Russian language and literature. 

What did you enjoy about the IR Major at Stanford?

The IR major strikes a perfect balance between interdisciplinarity and substantive focus. My understanding of the Soviet collapse was shaped by courses like Prof. Condoleeza Rice's "The Military in Politics." With Stanford-in-Government support, I interned at the Soviet Foreign Policy division of the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research in summer 1988. Being at Stanford-in-Oxford and in Europe in fall 1989 gave me a a front-row seat for the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe. I still have the piece of the Berlin Wall that I chipped off myself!

What is your official title at your current job and what are your responsibilities?

I am Professor of Political Science at McGill University. The primary course that I teach is Russian Politics, with over 150 students; it recently won the Course of the Year award from our Political Science Students Association. I also teach courses on Memory, Place and Power; Eurasian Politics; Europe and the EU; and the Politics of Money. My research focuses on the politics of money and identity, especially in post-communist Europe. I've written two books on post-communist banking and finance, as well as co-edited a new Russian Politics textbook.

Any advice for IR students?

Two pieces of advice. First, get to know your professors and if you can, get involved in their research. I had a work-study position as an RA for Prof. Larry Diamond that not only taught me what great scholars really do and the significant impact that they can have on the world, but also led to my post-graduation job in Washington, DC, at the Journal of Democracy and a lifelong friendship. Second, take advantage of the myriad opportunities that Stanford offers. Go to that talk by an interesting visiting speaker, apply for that fellowship or internship, study abroad with Stanford, take that course that sounds unusual and pushes your boundaries. The four years go by fast.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Hm, my husband just teased me about the fun informal get-together I planned with a friend for today to talk about central banking. But beyond politics and professing, I enjoy video games (I worked part-time as a game-tester for Atari as a Stanford undergraduate - the professional road not taken), reading science fiction and fantasy, and spending as much time as I can with my family.