In 1972, she became lecturer in political theory at the University of Sydney. Since 1990, Professor Pateman has taught in the Department of Political Science at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where she is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Professor Pateman served as (the first woman) President of the International Political Science Association (1991–1994). In 2007, she was named a Fellow of the British Academy. She served as President of the American Political Science Association in 2010–2011. She is also an Honorary Professor for the Cardiff University School of European Studies.