Biography

Michael Ignatieff : Biography

Born in Canada, educated at the University of Toronto and Harvard, Michael Ignatieff is a university professor, writer and former politician.

Between 2006 and 2011, Michael Ignatieff served as an MP in the Parliament of Canada and then as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition. He is a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and holds thirteen honorary degrees.

Between 2012 and 2015 he served as Centennial Chair at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York.

Between 2014 and 2016 he was Edward R. Murrow Chair of the Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Michael Ignatieff was until recently the Rector and President of Central European University in Budapest. He stepped down at the end of July 2021, to stay as a Professor in the History Department.

Education

1978

MA

Cambridge University

PhD, History

Harvard University

1976
1969

BA Honours History

University of Toronto

Career

2021—

Professor of History

Central European University, Budapest

President and Rector

Central European University, Budapest

2016-2021
2013-2016

Professor of Practice

Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Centennial Chair

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, New York

2012-2015
2012-2013

Professor

Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

Senior Resident Fellow

Massey College, University of Toronto

2011-2012
2009-2011

Leader

Liberal Party of Canada

Deputy Leader

Liberal Party of Canada

2007-2008
2006-2011

Member of Parliament

House of Commons of Canada, Ottawa

Contributing Writer

The New York Times Magazine

2000-2005
2000-2005

Professor of Practice and Director

Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

Editorial Columnist

The Observer, London

1989-1991
1985-2000

Freelance Writer

Broadcaster and Journalist, London

Visiting Scholar

Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris

1985
1978-1984

Senior Research Fellow

King’s College, Cambridge

Assistant Professor

History Department, University of British Columbia

1976-1978