January 28, 2025

Mala Htun, author and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at The University of New Mexico, died Friday after living with cancer the last few years. She was 55.

Services have been set for Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. at Congregation Albert, 3800 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. The family requested that no flowers be sent.

Shiva services will be hosted privately by the family. Condolence messages may be sent to 1500 San Carlos Rd., S.W., Albuquerque, N.M.  87104

Born in Hawaii, Htun moved to Albuquerque in 1982 when her mother became a professor at UNM. Htun received her Ph.D. in political science from Harvard and a A.B. in international relations from Stanford. She was an assistant and then associate professor at the New School for Social Research from 2000-2011.

She worked on comparative politics, women's rights, social inequalities, and strategies to promote inclusive organizational climates in STEM. She was the author of three books, most recently The Logics of Gender Justice: State Action on Women's Rights around the World, co-authored with Laurel Weldon, which won the 2019 International Studies Association’s Best Book Award in the Human Rights Section.

Htun was named as a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at UNM in 2024. The rank of Distinguished Professor is awarded to faculty who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and are nationally and internationally renowned scholars. This is the highest title that UNM bestows upon faculty. She was also elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2024.

She had been vice president of American Political Science Association, served as the chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession, and co-chaired the Presidential Task Force on Women's Advancement. She was an Andrew Carnegie Fellow in 2015, was a fellow at the Kellogg Institute of the University of Notre Dame and the Radcliffe Institute of Harvard and held the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship in Japan.

Htun worked with former Jim and Ellen King Dean of Engineering and Computing Christos Christodoulou to tackle the challenge of attracting and recruiting females and those of under-represented backgrounds and served as his special advisor to the dean for inclusion and climate.

“Mala spearheaded the launch of the first-ever Climate and Inclusion Survey in our school's history, aiming to foster a supportive and empowering environment for students, staff, and faculty. This initiative was designed to identify areas for improvement, celebrate strengths, and ensure our institution becomes a place where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and excel in their work and studies,” Christodoulou said, adding, “Besides being a great scientist, an educator, a champion of women's rights, and a strong advocate for progress within the School of Engineering, she always sought to approach her work with kindness and a genuine desire to uplift those around her.”

“She was one of the world’s top scholars of gender and representation,” said UNM Political Science Professor Jessica Feezell. “One of the most brilliant and outrageous women I’ve ever met while simultaneously being absolutely down to earth.”

Htun is survived by her husband, Doug Turner, their three children, Alexander Turner, 18, Livia Turner, 15, and Elinor Turner, 10, and parents, Dr. Helen Muller of Albuquerque and Dr. Ko Moe Htun of Honolulu.

UNM Foundation to set up an academic endowment honoring Htun. People can send donations to the Mala Htun Memorial Academic Fund.