Christopher LaMonica, Ph.D.

Associate Professor International Programs

Biography

Christopher LaMonica, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Maritime Security & Governance in the Department of International Programs. He has a doctorate in political science from Boston University's African Studies Center and a masters in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. Dr. LaMonica was Professor and Chair of Government for 15 years at the US Coast Guard Academy has worked for the OECD, USAID, and the Harvard Institute for International Development. He has published several books, including: COVID-19 and Human Security in Africa (2025), Horror in Paradise: Frameworks for Understanding the Crises of the Niger Delta of Nigeria (2014), and Local Government Matters: The Case of Zambia (2010).

Contact Information

(401) 856-5227

Reveal Email

Areas of Expertise

Africa
International Relations
Piracy
Security Cooperation

Professional Highlights

2025

Maritime Security & Governance Staff Course, Visiting Professor, U.S. Naval War College, International Programs

Working as part of a faculty team, teach international mid-career coast guard and naval officers political and other challenges related to maritime environmental stewardship, maritime law enforcement, port security, ocean-freight trade logistics, illicit trafficking, and coastal zone management.

Faculty Member, NECHE Accreditation Committee.

2019

Chair, Government Program, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Department of Government

Manage all aspects of Government major program, including: course scheduling, faculty teaching assignments, faculty hiring, NECHE accreditation administration, budgeting, coordination of cadet 1/c (senior) capstone projects, coordination of annual Research Symposia and regular participation (department representation) in meetings with Academy faculty and administration.

Led Academy-wide solicitation, dialogue, and development of new administrative procedures for new institutional (US government, NGO, IGO) and academic (US and foreign military academy, private and public) engagements in an institutional effort to expand cadet internship and faculty research opportunities via Memoranda-of-Understanding (MoAs).

2018

Professor of Government (tenured), U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Department of Government

2013

Associate Professor of Government (tenured), U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Department of Government

2009

Assistant Professor of Government (tenure-track), U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Department of Government

Taught a wide range of courses related to the GOV major, including: Politics of Africa, Politics of Latin America & the Caribbean, Maritime Politics & Policy of the Asia-Pacific Region, Maritime Governance, Comparative Politics, International Relations, International Political Economy, Politics of International Development, and The Francophone World (1-credit).

2006

Co-Director, Masters of International Relations (MIR) Program, Victoria University of Wellington, Political Science & International Relations Program

Taught INTP 586: International Relations (year-long “core” course for MIR); Responsible for administration of MIR program; Chaired MIR Admissions Committee (2006, 2007).

2005

Assistant Professor (L-VII) of International Relations and Development Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, Political Science & International Relations Program

Established new undergraduate IR program and major with faculty and university administration (2005 academic year); revamped MIR program.

Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in International Relations, International Political Economy, and African Politics (new course); Supervised graduate theses and dissertations (MA, MIR and PhD).

Education

Ph.D., Boston University, Political Science (Africa)

M.P.P., Harvard University, International Development

M.A., Boston University, International Relations

B.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Economics

Research Contributions and Publications

COVID-19 and Human Security in Africa: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Co-authored with Nathaniel Umukoro, eds.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2025

Horror in Paradise: Frameworks for Understanding the Crises of the Niger Delta of Nigeria
Co-authored with J. Shola Omotola, eds.
Carolina Academic Press, Africa Series, 2014

Local Government Matters: The Case of Zambia
VDM Verlag /Lambert Academic Press, 2010

International Politics: The Classic Texts
Kendall-Hunt Publishing, January 2004
Second Edition, May 2007
Second Edition Revised, June 2008

Awards and Decorations

Faculty Leader in Scholarship Award
Center for Advanced Studies, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 2018

External Memberships and Associations

African Studies Assocation (ASA)

New England Political Science Association (NEPSA)

International Studies Association (ISA)

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