ANN ARBOR—Harold K. Jacobson, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Michigan and former director of the Center for Political Studies at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR), died Aug. 13 at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital here of complications following surgery. He was 72.

A specialist in the field of international politics, Jacobson played a leading role in the creation of the International Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change program at the U-M. He served as acting director of the ISR from 1992 to 1995, and as interim associate vice president for international affairs at the U-M from 1990 to 1992. He also served as president of the International Studies Association and vice president of the International Political Science Association.

“Jake was an accomplished and skilled academic administrator, a beloved teacher at all levels, and a scholar who did as much as anyone to re-establish linkages between the study of international law and organization and of world politics,” said William Zimmerman, director of the Center for Political Studies at ISR.

Jacobson was a member of the Social Science Research Council’s Committee for Research on Global Environmental Change and the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council’s Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change. He was the convening lead author of the 1994-96 second scientific assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Born
Jacobson is the author, editor, or co-editor of 12 books and numerous articles and monographs on international institutions and politics. His most recent book is “Engaging Countries: Strengthening Compliance with International Environmental Accords,” which he edited with Edith Brown Weiss of the Georgetown University Law Center.

He received the 1995 American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for International Scientific Cooperation, the University of Michigan Press Award, the U-M Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, the Amoco Good Teaching Award, and the Excellence in Education Award.

Jacobson is survived by his wife, Jean; his brother Bruce (Georgia) Jacobson of Valrico, Fla.; his children, Knute (Rosemary) Jacobson of Richland, Mich.; Eric Jacobson of Overland Park, Kan.; Kristoffer Jacobson of Philadelphia, Pa.; Nils (Marguerite) Jacobson of Ann Arbor; and grandchildren Peter, Paul, John, and Matthew Jacobson of Richland, Mich.

Visitation will take place at Muehlig’s Funeral Home in Ann Arbor on Friday (Aug. 17), from 4 to 6 p.m., with a funeral service on Saturday, (Aug. 18), at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor. Contributions in his memory should be made to the American Heart Association, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor, or a charity of the contributor’s choice.