R. Karl Rethemeyer

R. Karl Rethemeyer joined UMass Amherst as the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and professor in the School of Public Policy on July 1, 2021.

A 1991 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Rethemeyer received an MS in development studies from the London School of Economics & Political Science and a PhD in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He joined the faculty of the University at Albany immediately after receiving his doctorate. At Albany, he directed graduate programs in public policy and public administration, subsequently chaired the Department of Public Administration and Policy, and was successively associate dean, interim dean and dean of the Rockefeller College.

Rethemeyer’s research centers on the structure, management and effect of social networks, as well as social network methodology, with particular reference to policy networks, clinical health networks and network systems. His research has appeared in leading journals. He is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.