Book Talk with Dr. Waldron-Moore
February 27, 2024
Dr. Pamela Waldron-Moore was a political science professor for 26 years at Xavier University. After decades of teaching, research, and working on improving conditions in developing countries, she published “Designing Knowledge Economies for Disaster Resilience,” as part of Berghahn Books’ “Catastrophes in Context” series. Her book was published in November 2023 and is the 7th installment in the series.
The book is based on scholarly writings Waldron-Moore first began in 1998 which resulted in her research being published over the years in multiple different languages.
“When Russia was transitioning away from being the union of social or social republics and moving into an independent state, many of the satellite countries that were colonized such as Ukraine and others, were all claiming themselves as independent,” Waldron-Moore recalled.
“It was so interesting to me; this is where I started my visitation. [My research] was accepted into publications in one of the leading journals in comparative politics,” Waldron-Moore said of her early work.
It was then translated into many different languages for the political scientists in those countries to read and grasp a methodological strategy. The ability to synchronize ideas and connect theory is Waldron-Moore’s favorite part of writing.
“What you are doing is testing the theory to see if this theory is valid because you can find real-world situations that would allow you to connect the theory to the content,” she said.
Her former students Jessica Dandridge (2012) and Yeishkka Montalvo (2019) contributed to her latest book.
“One of the chapters is based on Louisiana. You experience a lack of development in Louisiana in the face of all the disasters such as hurricanes. These things help us remain underdeveloped. The impact is still there to this day for some more than others,” Waldron-Moore said.
She wanted to equip her students over the years with the tools to shape policy that improves communities and teaching was an important way to pass this knowledge forward.
“My mother was a teacher at a public school system growing up. I was nervous about teaching in the United States due to the arrogance and negativity I would hear about teaching young adults. I grew up where following directions given by a teacher and following accordingly was the correct way. My passion was mathematics, metrology, comparative politics, and international relations,” Waldron-Moore said.
Now as a well-known keynote speaker and recipient of the Jewel Prestage Mentorship Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, she has inspired future generations of students in the field of politics and global policy.
“Xavier provided me with good fortune. Within my success, I gave students opportunities for internships, networking with law firms, and long-lasting bonds. I was allowed to change many different students’ perspective on things and provided the opportunity for each of my students to reach their goals,” Waldron-Moore said.
With 26 years of teaching in New Orleans, and at Xavier, while serving as head of the department for 15 years, Waldron-Moore will soon be retiring. For now, she is holding onto the bonds and memories she shared with Xavier and the city of New Orleans.
“Everybody has the opportunity to dream. It’s what you dream about that makes you passionate. What you are passionate about and are driven to accomplish, through ambition anything is possible,” Waldron-Moore said.
