I study international norms and organizations. One strand of my current research focuses on how (social, legal and moral) norms, taboos, and personal principles affect decision-making in international relations. Empirically, I am studying decision-making on gender-based violence, sex trafficking, and military humanitarian intervention. The other research strand focuses on principal-agent relationships and delegation decisions in international organizations, particularly the UN Security Council. Concretely, one of my long-standing research interests is the relationship between the UN Security Council and the Ombudsperson of the 1267 sanctions regime; more recently, I have developed an interest in penholding dynamics. More generally, I seek to bridge divides between constructivist and rational choice scholars.

 

My prior research has treated norm contestation as a problematique to understand norm development in international relations. Specifically, I developed theoretical frameworks on processes and possible outcomes of norm contestation that can guide empirical research. My book (2025, CUP), The Politics of International Norms: A Rhetorical Approach, develops a typology of the different outcomes that norm contestation can have and discusses explanations for this variation in outcome. I look at contestation by the United States but also by less powerful actors such as international courts and small states. My case studies include high-stakes debates over maritime boundaries, the interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and over the right to self-determination. 

 

For information on ongoing research projects, please consult my personal website.