Frank Zagare named chair of UB's Department of Political Science

Zagare also has received a $50,000 National Science Foundation Research Grant to study "Limited War, Crisis Escalation and Extended Deterrence."

He will use the grant "to explore war dynamics and conflict resolution using incomplete information and game theoretic models."

A UB faculty member since 1987 and department chair from 1991-94, Zagare has been called "one of the major contributors to game theoretic approaches to international relations." Game theory deals with interactive situations in which the outcome depends on the players' actions. The theory is applied to the study of the strategic ramifications of nations' strategies and tactics.

Before coming to UB, Zagare was a faculty member at Boston University, where he also was an associate of the university's Center for International Relations.

The author of several books and monographs, including "The Dynamics of Deterrence," Zagare has published numerous book chapters, articles and book reviews, as well as presented papers at national and international meetings and symposia.

He is a member of the American Political Science Association, the International Studies Association and the Peace Science Society, and served as a councilor for the peace society.

He received a bachelor's degree from Fordham University and master's and doctoral degrees from New York University, all in political science.