The Harold K. Jacobson papers are divided into seven series: Topical Files, National Implementation Project, Lectures, Papers Presented, Human Dimensions of Global and Environmental Change, University Materials, and Published Materials. Types of information and materials include research notes, correspondence, and lecture notes primarily related to Jacobson's work as a professor of political science and his interest and research into nations' adherence to international environmental laws and international politics.
Harold Karan Jacobson was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 28, 1929. In 1950 he received an A.B. degree "with distinction" from the University of Michigan. He received an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1952 and 1955, respectively. After research and teaching positions at Yale and the University of Houston, Jacobson joined the University of Michigan as an assistant professor of political science. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. He also served as the director of the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR), and was acting director of ISR from 1992-1995. He served as interim associate vice president for international affairs at Michigan from 1990 to 1992, president of the International Studies Association, and vice president of the International Political Science Association.
Jacobson was an expert on international institutions and politics, including international relations, law and organizations; foreign policy behavior of states; peace and security; and global environmental change. His research focused on the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and on democratic accountability and the use of force by international institutions. He played a leading role in the creation of the International Human Dimensions of Global Change Program, and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council's Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change. Jacobson was the lead author of the 1994-1996 second scientific assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Jacobson authored, edited, or co-edited 12 books and numerous articles and monographs on international institutions and politics. His last book Engaging Countries: Strengthening Compliance with International Environmental Accords, was co-edited with Edith Brown Weiss of the Georgetown University Law Center, and is based upon National Implementation research.
Jacobson received numerous awards during his career, including an award for International Scientific Cooperation from the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1995. He also received the University of Michigan Press Award, the University of Michigan Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, the Amoco Good Teaching Award, and the Excellence in Education Award. Harold Jacobson died at age 72, on August 13, 2001.
