Joel S. Migdal is the Robert F. Philip Professor of International Studies in the University of Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

He is a political scientist specializing in comparative politics.

(1968) and Ph.D. (1972) from the Department of Government of Harvard University.

[2] Previously he served as an associate professor of government at Harvard University (1975–80) and a lecturer and senior lecturer at Tel Aviv University (1972–75).

[3] He came to the University of Washington in 1980 and was named the Robert F. Philip Professor of International Studies in 1994.