Matthew E. Carnes

Matthew E. Carnes, SJ, serves as Professor of Political Science at Santa Clara University, following his tenure as Vice Dean for Faculty and Graduate Affairs at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service (2023-2024) and Director of Georgetown's Center for Latin American Studies (2016-2022). After earning his PhD in Political Science from Stanford University, MDiv from Jesuit School of Theology, and MA from Fordham University, he has established himself as a leading authority on Latin American politics and social welfare policy. His influential work includes "Continuity Despite Change: The Politics of Labor Regulation in Latin America" and numerous publications on social insurance and welfare programs in developing countries. His research, which has garnered over 800 citations, focuses on labor policies, social protection, and political economy in Latin America, with extensive fieldwork in Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Beyond academia, he combines his scholarly work with his role as a Jesuit priest, leading immersion programs and serving various university mission initiatives. His current position as Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Santa Clara University reflects his commitment to both academic excellence and Jesuit values.