AsAmSt Faculty Interview: Paul Watanabe
Educational Experiences:
University of Utah (BA), Political Science
Harvard University (PhD), Political Science
Areas of Academic Expertise and Interests:
Political Science, Public Policy, Asian American Studies
Current Research Projects/Community Work:
Research on:
• Attitude towards Immigrants and Immigrant Policy (focus on Asian Americans)
Impact of Immigrants on Massachusetts Economy
• Careers of Educational Accomplishments of 2nd Generation Immigrants in U.S.
Serving on Boards of:
• Nisei Student Relocation Commemorative Fund
• Political Research Associates
Biography:
Professor Paul Watanabe has taught courses in Political Science and Asian American Studies at UMASS Boston for about 30 years, in addition to serving as the director of the Institute of Asian American Studies. He is also serving on the faculties of the International Relations Program, PhD program in Public Policy and Graduate Programs in American Studies.
Professor Watanabe chose to work and remain at UMASS Boston because he saw himself as a product of the public college system. He relates his background similar to that of many students in his classroom and those in Asian American Studies. He feels that "UMB has always afforded me an opportunity to build programs and research and other activities that reflect and focus on experiences and issues facing Asian Americans."
Professor Watanabe's connections to the Asian American community are based within community programs and his commitments in addressing the community, students and professional groups on Asian American issues. His work also broadly encompasses topics within community, economical development, civic engagement, history and education.
One of his goals while he is still at UMASS is to build upon the foundations already established by the Institute of Asian American Studies, that integrate the campus and its people with organizations and people in the broader community.
DAY IN THE LIFE... OF AN ASIAN AMERICAN UMB FACULTY MEMBER
5:45am - Get up- go to the be club to play tennis
9:00am - Arrive UMB- make coffee for the staff- read papers (NY Times, Boston Globe)
10am - Teach class on American Foreign Policy
11:30am - Office Hours
12:30 - Lunch
1:30pm - Meetings, discussions, etc.
6:30pm - Leave UMASS
7:00pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Read Evening Newspaper (Ledger)
8:30pm - TV (Usually sports), computer games, play with my cat, etc.
1:am - Go to bed.