Vivian Kalu, Ph.D.

Civic Engagement and Social Action
Institutional Powers, Fundamental Rights and Law
Legal Writing and Research

Ph.D., Political Science (Public Law and Policy)
M.A., Political Science (Public Law and Policy)
LL.M., Comparative International Law
LL.B., Law

Comparative Judicial Politics
Constitutional Law
Human Rights
Social Justice

Vivian Kalu is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science (Public Law major) from the University of Houston, Texas, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in International Comparative Law from Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.  Her research interests, which focus on public law and policy, include comparative judicial politics, constitutional law, human rights and social justice. Kalu’s research explores how the judiciary influences equal rights, economic development and democracy in the United States and other countries, particularly in Africa.

Before joining St Mary’s, Kalu taught a variety of courses, including US Judiciary, Introduction to Legal Writing, US Government, Texas State and Local Government, Research Methods, Politics of Race and Gender, Introduction to Public Policy to undergraduate students and Introduction to American Law to diverse LL.M. students at law school. She is admitted to practice law in Nigeria and California, bringing with her extensive experience in different practice areas, including law firms and corporate entities. Kalu is passionate about teaching and mentoring students to help them achieve academic excellence and career success.

Kalu, Vivian and Scarrow, Susan E. 2020. “US Parties Abroad: Partisan Mobilizing in a Federal Context.” Parliamentary Affairs, 73(4), 887-900.