Hayward R. Alker, an MIT alumnus and political scientist specializing in international relations, died Aug. 24 at his home in Block Island, R.I., following a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 69.
A New York City native, Alker was a leading scholar on international conflict resolution, widely respected for his integration of mathematical and humanistic research methods. His books include "Journeys Through Conflict" (2001) and "Mathematics and Politics" (1965).
Alker taught at MIT from 1968 to 1995, when he left to teach at the University of Southern California, where he held the John A. McCone Chair in International Relations.
He earned an S.B. in mathematics from MIT in 1959 and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University in 1960 and 1963, respectively. He taught at Yale before he came to MIT.
Alker is survived by his wife, J. Ann Tickner, of Santa Monica, Calif.; his brother, Henry; his sister, Charity; three daughters, Joan, Heather and Gwendolyn; and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Middle East Peace Education Program of the American Friends Service Committee in Los Angeles or to the Block Island Conservancy.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 19, 2007 (download PDF).
