Thomas A. Birkland

Thomas A. (Tom) Birkland is the William T. Kretzer Professor of Public Policy at North Carolina State University, where he also the Associate Dean for Research and Engagement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds degrees from the University of Oregon (B.A.), Rutgers University (M.A.), and the University of Washington, Seattle (PhD). At North Carolina State, he teaches courses on disaster policy and on the policy process. Dr. Birkland's research is in theories of the policy process, focusing on agenda change, policy change, and learning. He is also an internationally known expert on policies related to natural disasters and industrial accidents. He is the author of After Disaster and Lessons of Disaster. His recent interests have focused on whether and to what extent people and institutions learn from disasters.

Before joining the NC State faculty, Dr. Birkland was an assistant and associate professor in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the State University of New York. He also served as a program officer at the National Science Foundation in 2006. In his current role, Dr. Birkland coordinates research and outreach programs for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.