Trained as a modern European historian, with a specialty in 19th-20th century Italy and a secondary field in medieval and modern Russian history, Richard Jensen has broadened his research and teaching concerns to include comparative European and transatlantic history, and world history. He has published a book about the theory and practice of Italian public security policy from 1848 to the crisis of the 1890s. His other publications deal with the repression of anarchist terrorism in Europe and America, reform of the Italian police in the 19th century, the Italian political thinker Gaetano Mosca, Italy's system of administrative detention on off-shore islands, futurism and fascism, Mussolini, and Italian and Spanish women in modern politics. He is also the author of several teaching manuals with guides to audiovisual and software material of interest to historians.
Dr. Jensen regularly teaches courses based on his research, including one especially designed for the Scholars' College on terrorism and counterterrorism.
The recipient of two Fulbright awards for research in Europe as well as a twelve-month grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Dr. Jensen is currently completing a book on the international campaign against anarchist terrorism, 1890-1914. He has received awards from Southern Illinois University and from the Louisiana Scholars' College for excellence in teaching.
