Beth Simmons

Beth Simmons is the Andrea Mitchell University Professor in Law, Political Science, and Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, holding appointments in the School of Arts and Sciences and Penn Carey Law. Her research focuses on international political economy, policy diffusion, and the impact of international law on human rights. She has authored seminal works including Who Adjusts? (1994) and Mobilizing for Human Rights (2009), both recipients of the APSA Woodrow Wilson Award. Simmons has served as director of Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, president of the International Studies Association, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Education:

• PhD, Harvard University (Government)
• M.A., Harvard University (Government)
• M.A., University of Chicago (International Relations)
• B.A., University of Redlands (Political Science and Philosophy)

Research Interests: Simmons’ current projects examine global performance assessments, international border dynamics (including 'thickening' borders and border crossings), and transnational crime. She has developed a satellite-derived database of global border crossings and studies public sentiment toward borders as spaces of opportunity or threat. Her work bridges legal frameworks, policy analysis, and geopolitical strategies.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2018 Andrew Carnegie Fellow
• Woodrow Wilson Award (APSA, 1994 and 2009)
• Elected to National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Best Book Awards from American Society for International Law, ISSC, and ISA (2010)

Advising & Grants: Simmons advises on global governance initiatives and has secured grants for research on border infrastructure and human rights compliance. Her work at Perry World House and collaborations with international organizations reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary policy engagement.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Perry World House and global research networks on projects like the border crossings database and studies of international criminal justice frameworks.