The French government has honoured Vicki Birchfield, associate professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology, with the National Order of Merit medal in the rank of Knight.

Pascal Le Deunff, France’s consul general for the Southeast, presented Dr Birchfield with the medal during a private ceremony at his residence in Atlanta on May 9.

Mr Le Deunff praised her for "raising the international profile of Atlanta," and for strengthening mutual understanding between the American and the European views "during difficult times -- transatlantic trade disputes, political and diplomatic disagreements."

Dr Birchfield has served as director of the Brussels Summer Program and associate professor and director of the European Centre of Excellence at Georgia Tech.

She earned a diploma from the Graduate Institute in Geneva in 1994 and her doctorate in political science from the University of Georgia. She also has a master’s degree in political science from Auburn University.

Dr Birchfield has researched a wide variety of European issues including income inequality and social justice, consensus democracy and the global economy, the interplay of culture and politics and trade disputes between the US and Europe.

The ceremony was conducted on Europe Day in Atlanta and was attended by consuls general and honorary consuls representing European countries as well as members of Dr Birchfield’s family.

Global Atlanta, Phil Bolton, 17 mai 2012

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