Annalena Baerbock to teach at Columbia University

Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will begin a new role at Columbia University in New York this autumn. She has been appointed as a ‘Professor of Professional Practice’ at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

This position is a full-time, three-year role designed for practitioners with extensive professional experience rather than a traditional research professorship. Baerbock will also serve as the co-director of the ‘Master of Public Administration in Global Leadership’ program, which is aimed at executives with at least ten years of experience. She is expected to teach three courses in her areas of expertise.

In Germany, the news has generated significant discussion regarding the leadership of the Green Party. Following the 2025 federal election, the party has transitioned into the opposition, leading to internal debates about its ability to maintain public visibility and media presence without high-profile figures like Baerbock and former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.