• Ph.D., California-Riverside 1969

Loch Kingsford Johnson is the Regents Professor Emeritus of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia, as well as a Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor.  He is the author of over 200 articles and essays; and the author or editor of thirty books on U.S. national security, including: Spy Watching: Intelligence Accountability in the United States (Oxford, 2018); National Security Intelligence, 2nd ed. (Polity, 2017); America and the Challenges of World Leadership (Oxford, 2014); and The Threat on the Horizon (Oxford, 2011); The Oxford Handbook of National Security Intelligence (Oxford, 2010); Seven Sins of America.  Professor Johnson served as special assistant to the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1975-76); as a staff aide on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (1976-77); as the first staff director of the Subcommittee on Intelligence Oversight, U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (1977-79); as a senior staff member on the Subcommittee on Trade and International Economic Policy, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives (1980); and as special assistant to Chairman Les Aspin of the Aspin-Brown Commission on the Roles and Missions of Intelligence (1995-96).

Professor Johnson has served as secretary of the American Political Science Association and as president of the International Studies Association (ISA), South.  He is the senior editor of the international journal Intelligence and National Security (London) and is on the editorial advisory board for other journals, including Foreign Policy Analysis. In 2008-09, he was named a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, and is now on the Phi Beta Kappa National Board for the Visiting Scholar Program. He has also been a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Yale University and at Oxford University.  In 2012, the combined universities of the Southeastern Conference selected Professor Johnson as their Inaugural “SEC Professor of the Year” Award; and in 2014 the Intelligence Studies Section of the International Studies Association named him its “Distinguished Scholar.”  At the University of Georgia, he was won the William A. Owens Award, the University’s highest research award in the social and behavioral sciences, and its Creative Research Award, as well as the Award for Excellence in Research and the Award for Excellence in Research (both bestowed by the School of Public and International Affairs).

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Professor Johnson received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Riverside.  In post-doctoral activities, he was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship; has studied nuclear weapons policy at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and has conducted research on Congress as a Carl Albert Visiting Fellow at the University of Oklahoma.  At the University of Georgia, he led the founding of the School of Public and International Affairs in 2001, as well as the UGA Memorial Service Garden in 2005.  His leisure time is devoted to family activities, sports (Alpine skiing, running, golf), reading, chess, and civic involvement.

• American foreign policy
• National security
• Strategic intelligence
• Executive-Legislative relations

General

• President’s Medal, University of Georgia (2022)
• University of Georgia Alumni Association Faculty Service Award (2017)
• Lifetime Achievement Award, International Association for Intelligence Education (2015)
• Blue Key Service Award (2014)
• Distinguished Scholar Award, Intelligence Studies Section, International Studies Association, ISA (2014)
• Inaugural “SEC Professor of the Year” Award, for the fourteen universities of the Southeastern Conference (2012)
• Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2009-10)
• World Fund Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Center for International and Area Studies, Yale University (2005)
• Congressional Fellow, American Political Science Association, Washington, D.C. (1969-70)

Teaching

• German Historical Institute Lecture (2015)
• Foundation Day Lecture, UGA (2014)
• Award for Excellence in Teaching, School of Public and International Affairs, UGA (2013)
• “Outstanding Mentor,” Roosevelt Institution, University of Georgia  (2008)
• Teacher of the Year, Tate Society, University of Georgia (2002)
• Keynote Address, “In Search of Greater Academic Rigor,” Annual Faculty Symposium, University of Georgia (2006)
• Mentor, Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (2002-2017)
• Inaugural Member, University of Georgia Teaching Academy (2000); Board of Directors (2007- 08)
• Senior Faculty Fellow, mentoring Foundation Fellows, the top students at the University of Georgia (2000-2005)
• “Outstanding Teacher Award,” Student Government Association, University of Georgia (2001, 2000)
• Alpha Omicron Pi, “Outstanding Professor,” University of Georgia (1999)
• Keynote Address, Honors Convocation, University of Georgia (1998)
• Honoratus Medal, the highest teaching honor in the Honors Program, University of Georgia (1997)
• Senior Teaching Fellow, University of Georgia (1996-97)
• “Outstanding Honors Professor,” Honors Program, University Council for Superior Students (2004, 1996, 1990, 1988, 1985, 1982)
• “Undergraduate Teacher of the Year,” Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society, University of Georgia (1996, 1981, 1980)
• “Golden Apple” Award for Outstanding Teaching, University of Georgia (1992)
• Inaugural Address, President’s Lecture Series, University of Georgia (1990)
• Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship, the highest teaching honor at the University of Georgia (1988)
• Omicron Delta Kappa, “Outstanding Leader,” University of Georgia (1988)
• Sandy Beaver Teaching Award, the highest teaching honor in the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia (1987)
• Golden Key “Outstanding Professor,” University of Georgia (1987)
• “Educator of the Year,” PANDORA YEARBOOK, University-wide student vote, University of Georgia (1986)
• Keynote Address, Senior Conference XXVI, U.S. Military Academy (1985)

Research

• Award for Excellence in Research, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia (2011), inaugural competition
• The Studies in Intelligence Award (2004)
• Understanding Government Award, “Best Article,” The Century Foundation Understanding Government Project (2000)
• The William A. Owens Award, the highest research honor for the social sciences, University of Georgia (1998)
• Golden Candle Award, Open Source Solutions, Washington, D.C. (1994)
• V.O. Key Award, for the best book on Southern politics published in 1992, with Charles S. Bullock III (1993)
• Regents Professorship, University of Georgia (1990)
• Creative Research Medal, University of Georgia (1990)
• Certificate of Distinction, National Intelligence Study Center (1986)

Service

• The Sphinx Society, the University of Georgia’s oldest and most revered service society (2004)
• Appreciation Award, Clarke County Board of Education (1997)
• Leadership Award, Cedar Shoals High School Booster Club (1996-97)
• Co-founder, Southeast Athens Community Action Team, SEACATs (1996-2000)
• Loch Johnson Relays, Annual City Wide Track and Field Competition, Clark County (1998-2017  )
• Member, Board of Trustees, Athens Regional Medical Center (2007-2013); member, Committee on Quality (2007-2013)
• University of Georgia Press, Editorial Board Member, 1983-86; 2012-15

• American Political Science Association (APSA)
• International Studies Association (ISA)
• Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS)

• Presidency
• Congress
• National security policy
• Foreign Policy Analysis Program: American foreign policy

• INTELLIGENCE: THE SECRET WORLD OF SPIES (New York: Oxford University Press, 2022), 6th edition, edited with James J. Wirtz.
• THE THIRD OPTION: COVERT ACTION AND AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (New York: Oxford University Press, 2022).
• ADVANCED INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2021).
• SPY WATCHING: INTELLIGENCE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018)
• NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE: SECRET OPERATIONS IN DEFENSE OF THE DEMOCRACIES (Cambridge: Polity, 2017), 2d edition, pp. 273.
• A SEASON OF INQUIRY REVISITED: THE CHURCH COMMITTEE CONFRONTS AMERICA’S SPY AGENCIES, with new Preface and Postscript (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2015), pp. 345.  Optioned in 2016 for a Hollywood motion picture.
• ESSENTIALS OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO/Praeger, 2014), edited, pp. 498.
• AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY AND THE CHALLENGES OF WORLD LEADERSHIP: POWER, PRINCIPLE, AND THE CONSTITUTION (New York: Oxford University Press, 2014), pp. 566.
• THE THREAT ON THE HORIZON: AN INSIDE ACCOUNT OF AMERICA’S SEARCH FOR SECURITY AFTER THE COLD WAR (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), pp. 509.
• INTELLIGENCE: CRITICAL CONCEPTS IN MILITARY, STRATEGIC & SECURITY STUDIES, VOL I: THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE  (New York: Routledge, 2011), editor, pp. 376.
• INTELLIGENCE: CRITICAL CONCEPTS IN MILITARY, STRATEGIC & SECURITY STUDIES, VOL II: COVERT ACTION, THE AGGRESSIVE ARM OF NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE (New York: Routledge, 2011), editor, pp. 458.
• INTELLIGENCE: CRITICAL CONCEPTS IN MILITARY, STRATEGIC & SECURITY STUDIES, VOL. III: COUNTERINTELLIGENCE; SHIELD FOR NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE (New York: Routledge, 2011), editor, pp. 468.
• INTELLIGENCE: CRITICAL CONCEPTS IN MILITARY, STRATEGIC & SECURITY STUDIES, VOL IV: HOLDING SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ACCOUNTABLE (New York: Routledge, 2011), editor, pp.  392.
• THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF NATIONAL SECURITY INTELLIGENCE (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010), editor, pp. 886.
• HANDBOOK OF INTELLIGENCE STUDIES (London: Routledge, 2007), editor, pp. 382.
• THE STUDY OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, VOL. I: APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING THE HIDDEN SIDE OF GOVERNMENT (Westport, CT: Praeger,  2007), editor, pp. 322.
• THE STUDY OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, VOL. II: THE INTELLIGENCE CYCLE: THE FLOW OF SECRFET INFORMATION FROM OVERSEAS TO THE HIGHEST COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENT  (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007), editor, pp. 366.
• THE STUDY OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, VOL. III: COVERT ACTION: BEHIND THE VEILS OF SECRET FOREIGN POLICY  (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007), editor, pp. 332.
• THE STUDY OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, VOL. IV: COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORISM: DEFENDING THE NATIONAL AGAINST HOSTILE FORCES (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007), editor, pp. 376.
• THE STUDY OF STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, VOL. V: INTELLIGENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY: SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE ABUSE OF SECRET POWER (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2007), editor, pp. 310.
• WHO’S WATCHING THE SPIES? ESTABLISHING INTELLIGENCE SERVICE ACCOUNTABILITY (Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, 2005), edited with essays, with Hans Born and Ian Leigh, pp. 255..
• SEVEN SINS OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY (New York: Longman, 2007), pp. 339.
• AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY: HISTORY, POLITICS, AND POLICY (New York: Pearson-Longman, 2005), with John Endicott and Daniel S. Papp, pp. 542.
• FATEFUL DECISIONS: INSIDE THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004), edited with introductions, with Karl F. Inderfurth, hard- and paperbound editions, pp. 392.
• STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE: WINDOWS INTO A SECRET WORLD (Los Angeles: Roxbury, 2004), edited with introductions, with James J. Wirtz, pp. 554.
• BOMBS, BUGS, DRUGS, AND THUGS: INTELLIGENCE AND AMERICA’S QUEST FOR SECURITY (New York:  NYU Press, 2000); paperbound edition, with new Preface (2002), pp. 298; German edition: BOMBEN, WANZEN UND INTRIGEN: AMERIKAS GEHEIMDIENSTE (Düsseldorf: Patmos Verlag, 2002), pp. 254.
• SECRET AGENCIES: U.S. INTELLIGENCE IN A HOSTILE WORLD (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996), pp. 262.
• AMERICA AS A WORLD POWER: FROEIGN POLICY IN A CONSTITUTINAL FRAMEWORK  (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995), pp. 539.
• RUNOFF ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1992), with Charles S. Bullock III, pp. 208.
• AMERICA’S SECRET POWER: THE CIA IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (New York: Oxford University Press, 1989), pp. 344.
• DECISIONS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER: PERSPECTIVES ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1988), with Karl F. Inderfurth, pp. 357.
• THROUGH THE STRAITS OF ARMAGEDDON: ARMS CONTROL ISSUES AND PROSPECTS (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1987), edited with Paul F. Diehl, pp. 279.
• A SEASON OF INQUIRY: THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATION (Lexington:  University Press of Kentucky, 1985; paperbound edition, Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1988), pp. 317.
• THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS: CONGRESS CONFRONTS THE EXECUTIVE (New York: New York University Press, 1984; paper edition, 1985), pp. 206.