Faculty at the University of California, Davis, have selected Donald S. Rothchild, an internationally recognized expert in African politics and professor of political science, as the 1997 Faculty Research Lecturer, one of the campus Academic Senate's most prestigious honors. Rothchild is a widely respected scholar who studies ethnic conflict and the changing politics of Africa. He is well established among the leading Africanists of his generation, having published original and significant work on federalism, ethnic separatism, nation building and political integration. "Rothchild's work bridges successfully the gap between theory and policy relevance and demonstrates that political science, at its best, is an intensely practical and useful science," said Larry Berman, professor of political science and chair of the department. "Rothchild's familiarity with actual conditions in Africa causes him to have a masterful understanding of real politics in that continent. Fueled by frequent research trips there, Rothchild provides a refreshing and instructive sense of the problems and how they can be comprehended theoretically." Throughout his scholarly work Rothchild has always attempted to understand the origins of ethnic conflict and the practical means by which such conflicts might be controlled, according to his colleagues. There are few scholars in political science who have made more important contributions to the understanding of ethnic strife, noted Berman. Rothchild joined the UC Davis faculty in 1965, after having been an associate professor at Colby College. From 1962 to 1964 he was on leave from Colby fulfilling a Fulbright lectureship at Makerere University in Uganda. He received his doctorate from John Hopkins University, his master's from UC Berkeley and his bachelor's from Kenyon College. When Rothchild began teaching at UC Davis, he had a publication record of one book and 10 articles. Today, he is the author of more than 125 publications, including 16 books with two new books and three articles nearing publication. He has published extensively in the field of American foreign policy, as it relates to the African continent, as well as in the fields of state and civil society relations, economic conditions and political consequences, post-Cold War Africa, military regimes and the politics of South Africa. Rothchild's recent works include the new book, "Ethnic Fears and Global Engagement: The International Spread and Management of Ethnic Conflict," published by Princeton University Press. Also known as an outstanding teacher, Rothchild has inspired his students both inside and outside the classroom, noted Berman. "His humility, tolerance of contending academic perspectives, continued readiness to learn, and keen interest in his students, make him a remarkable professor. "In addition he is a model of excellence for other faculty members by virtue of his invariable civility, respect for the judgments of others, impeccable professionalism, and unwavering responsible conduct in university affairs," Berman said. Rothchild has received numerous grants, awards, fellowships and assignments from national and international agencies and foundations including Fulbright, Rockefeller, Ford, Brookings and the National Academy of Sciences, as well as universities both here and abroad. Established in 1941 by the Davis Sigma Chi Club, the faculty Research Lecturer is awarded annually to a faculty member whose research contributions have greatly enhanced human knowledge and have brought widespread honor and recognition to themselves and the university. In 1951, the UC Davis Academic Senate assumed responsibility for the award. The most recent recipients have been Charles R. Goldman, professor of environmental studies (1993); Thomas W. Schoener, professor of biology and environmental studies (1994); Peter Marler, professor emeritus of biology and psychology (1995); and Sandra Gilbert, professor of English (1996). The recipient delivers a spring lecture on a topic in his or her field of study.