The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. John Starrels has joined AICGS as a Senior Fellow with direct responsibility for expanding the Institute's economic studies programs. Prior to joining AICGS, Dr. Starrels was a Senior member of the International Monetary Fund's External Relations Department, in charge of organizing the IMF's "Economic Forum" and public outreach initiatives. Dr. Starrels' other professional activities since coming to Washington in 1971 have included positions with the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Department of Political Science at George Washington University. Dr. Starrels received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1972.

Dr. Starrels has been awarded grants from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Boston and American Universities. He is the author of a Joint Economic Committee Study on reforming the West German Economy, and has written articles on both Germanys for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.