Faculty Spotlight: Joshua Spero

Library Background
Posted:

Stop by to check out Dr. Spero's Faculty Spotlight display, as well as our Fitchburg State Faculty Publication bookshelf located on the Library first floor near the entrance.

 

Josh Spero Headshot

Josh Spero, Ph.D., was born in Washington, DC, when his father worked with Robert F. Kennedy to create the domestic peace corps (AmeriCorps today). He grew up determined to work as a public servant in the government. He was inspired by a mother whose public teaching career spans 60 years. His mom still trains teachers at 85 years old!  Josh studied in Leningrad, USSR (summer 1985) and graduated from college and received an M.A. in Soviet/East European Studies from the University of Michigan (1987).  He then served for 13 years in policy related research and planning positions which included the Library of Congress, Secretary of Defense’s policy offices, National Defense University’s research institute, and Joint Chiefs of Staff’s NATO/European Office. From 1991-2000, Josh started and received his Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies in International Relations/Central-East European Politics.

After moving with his wife and family to MA in 2000, Josh transitioned to academia and became a Professor of Political Science with the Fitchburg State University Economics, History and Political Science Department in 2002. He’s taught many different courses including his baseline introductory requirement – Introductory International Relations. He also enjoys teaching the numerous courses he’s designed which include the Capstone Political Science Seminar (taught annually) and his Study Abroad Course in Political Science/History, Europe Today (taught every two years). In the study abroad course, he takes his students to The Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. The trip gives his FSU students the opportunities to hold student-to-student discussions with FSU’s partners, Rhine-Waal University (Germany) and the University of Warsaw (Poland). He also welcomes any opportunity to teach his rotating electives: International Terrorism, American Foreign Policy, Government Decision-making, and International Law and Organizations. His favorite part of educating his student is helping them develop and advance career-building skills through simulation crisis management decision-making (SCMD) to serve publicly communities larger than themselves.

Through his SCMD methodology and teaching/research process, Josh collaborates with colleagues and mentors students, particularly research assistants, in analyzing foreign policy focused assessments. His case studies and simulation models focus on NATO and European Union challenges, especially affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its impact on Europe’s security and U.S.-European ties. During his time at Fitchburg State, he’s published two books and numerous book chapters, articles, op-eds, and presentations. His latest book published in 2019 is Middle Powers and Regional Influence: Foreign Policy Junctures for Poland, South Korea, Bolivia (London: Rowman & Littlefield International). His most recent article, “Ukraine’s Integration and Euro-Atlantic Security’s Transformation”, published in April 2022 evolved from significant research trip to Poland (March 2022) with his Research Assistant, Oscar Burgos-Pimentel. Their trips occurred just two weeks after Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Burgos-Pimentel teamed-up with Josh and presented views with Polish students and faculty on “European Security and Transatlantic Relations.”

Josh lives in Massachusetts with his wife, a Unitarian Universalist Minister. They have two sons. His oldest son is a former U.S. Army Infantry Combat Platoon Leader and is transitioning toward international analysis for a top computer company. His younger son is an FSU sophomore majoring in Psychology. They cherish their dogs and seeing the life’s journeys unfold for their sons.

Selected Publications: