Overview
Dr Cynthia P. Schneider teaches, publishes and organises initiatives in the field of cultural diplomacy, with a focus on relations with the Muslim world. She co- directs Los Angeles-based MOST Resource (Muslims on Screen and Television), which provides valuable resources and accurate information on Islam and Muslims for the US entertainment community and brings together policy leaders with their counterparts in media and entertainment. For the Brookings Institution she leads the Arts and Culture Dialogue Initiative within the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. Dr Schneider teaches courses in Diplomacy and Culture in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University where from1984-2005, she was a member of the art history faculty, and published on Rembrandt and 17th century Dutch art. Dr Schneider publishes and speaks frequently on topics related to arts, culture, media and international affairs, particularly about the Muslim world. Her writings range from blogs for the Huf ngton Post and CNN.com, to policy papers for the Brookings Institution. Her talks include a TED presentation on the global impact of American Idol, as well as speeches on the role of arts and culture in the US–Islamic world relationship in venues from Kurdistan to Cairo. From 1998-2001 she served as US. Ambassador to the Netherlands, during which she led initiatives in cultural diplomacy, biotechnology, cyber security, and education. Schneider received her BA and PhD from Harvard University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.