Irene Langran is the Associate Dean of General Education and Faculty Development at Albright College. She is also a professor of Political Science, teaching courses in international law, human rights, and global health. Her research interests include globalization, global health, and global governance. A passionate advocate of interdisciplinary studies, Dr. Langran co-edited Globalization and Global Citizenship: Interdisciplinary Approaches (Routledge, 2016). She has published in several academic journals, including Global Governance, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Asian Studies, New Global Studies, Canadian Journal of Political Science, American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, and Journal for Peace and Justice Studies. An innovative teacher dedicated to the promotion of civil and productive political conversations in the classroom, Dr. Langran received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Albright College in 2016.

Dr. Langran received her doctorate from the University of Toronto, specializing in the comparative politics of developing countries. The field research for her dissertation focused on health sector reform in the war-torn southern Philippine region of Mindanao. Before joining Albright’s faculty, she worked with nongovernmental organizations in multiple countries—experiences she brings to her classroom today.

Global Health Governance
Dr. Langran’s current research explores the development of international norms and regulations in the field of organ transplants. While an international trade in human organs would have been unthinkable when transplant technology was first developed, today it is facilitated by globalization and international trade agreements. Dr. Langran’s study indicates a lack of policy coherence in this field, tensions between global health and international trade regimes, the rise of non-state actors, and the challenges of global governance in a world of sovereign states.

Globalization and Global Citizenship
Dr. Langran is experienced in teaching and writing about globalization. Most recently, Dr. Langran brought together scholars from a diverse set of disciplines and countries to explore the meanings of cosmopolitanism and global citizenship as co-editor of Globalization and Global Citizenship: Interdisciplinary Approaches. She analyzed the political meanings of global citizenship in a chapter entitled “Global Citizenship in a post-Westphalian Age.” Dr. Langran also considered the implications of technology and citizenship in “Technology’s role in Global Citizenship Education,” coauthored with Elizabeth Langran.

Teaching in an Era of Political Discord
Dr. Langran is engaged actively in the effort to promote civil and productive political conversations in the classroom. Reflecting the polarization of our society, these conversations can be challenging—yet understanding how to use them as a learning tool can help students gain lifelong skills.

Program Design and Assessment
As chair of Political Science and director of interdisciplinary programs in Public Health and International Relations, Dr. Langran is experienced in program design and assessment. While serving as Director of General Education, she oversaw the completion and implementation of the college-wide assessment program. She enjoys looking at innovative ways to assess programs across academic divisions.

POL 202, Introduction to International Relations

POL 242, Human Rights and Genocide

POL 273, Globalization

POL 352, International Law & Organizations

SYN 330, Global Health

POL 420, International Development

POL/PUH 440, Globalization, Health and Environment

Selected Publications

• 2021. “Challenges to Global Health Governance from the International Trade in Organ Transplants.” Global Governance 27 (2021): 95-117.
• With Tammy Birk, eds. 2016. Globalization and Global Citizenship: Interdisciplinary Approaches. London and New York: Routledge.
• 2016. “Global citizenship in a post-Westphalian age.” In Langran and Birk, 25-37.
• With Elizabeth Langran. 2016. “Technology’s role in global citizenship education.” In Langran and Birk, 56-68.
• “Decentralization, Democratization, and Health: The Philippine Experiment.” Journal of Asian and African Studies. 46 (4): 361-374.
• Review of Carol Lancaster, George Bush’s Foreign Aid. The Journal for Peace and Justice Studies 20 (1): 93-96.
• With Elizabeth Langran and Kathy Ozment. 2009. “Transforming Today’s Students into Tomorrow’s Global Citizens: Challenges for U.S. Educators.” New Global Studies 3 (1): 1-20.
• “Cambodia in 2000: New Hopes are Challenged.” Asian Survey XLI (1): 156-163.
• “Cambodia in 1999: Year of Hope.” Asian Survey XL (1): 25-31.

• Associate Dean of General Education and Faculty Development, 2022-present
• Chair, Department of Political Science, 2013-2022
• Director, Public Health Program, 2016-2022
• Director, International Relations Program, 2005-2022
• Director of General Education, 2015-17
• Convener, Teaching Awards Committee, 2014-15
• Albright College Team Member, 2014 AAC&U Institute on High-Impact Practices and Student Success, Association of American Colleges & Universities
• Social Sciences Representative, Faculty Executive Committee, 2009-10, 2011-13
• Social Sciences Representative, General Education Committee, 2011-12
• Co-founder and co-chair, Global Studies Committee, 2007-08, 2008-09
• Convener, General Education Assessment Committee, 2008-09
• Founder, Writing Group, 2008-09
• Member, Teaching Awards Committee, 2005-06, 2006-07
• Member, Search Committee, Writing Coordinator, 2007-08
• Social Sciences Representative, Professional Council, 2005-06, 2006-07

Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Albright College, 2016