Koen Stapelbroek

Professor Koen Stapelbroek is a distinguished academic and Dean of the College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University (JCU). He holds a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge (2004) and specializes in the history of political thought, global political economy, and the institutional dynamics of trade. His research emphasizes institutions like free ports and commercial treaties, the evolution of the state, and international organizations.

Before joining JCU, he held positions including Associate Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Academy of Finland Senior Research Fellow at Helsinki University (where he founded the Centre for Intellectual History), and Visiting Professorships at Macquarie University and Ca’ Foscari Venice. He has authored or co-edited numerous books, including Free Trade and Free Ports in the Mediterranean (2024) and The Legacy of Vattel's Droit des gens (2019).

His research focuses on the interplay between commerce, state formation, and international relations, particularly in the early modern period. He has 33 awards and contributes to projects like A Global History of Free Ports and Commerce vs Conquest: The Political Economy of Jean-François Melon. His teaching spans political philosophy, intellectual history, and qualitative research methods, emphasizing historical analysis of modern political ideas.

Professor Stapelbroek’s work bridges historical inquiry with contemporary debates on globalization, state legitimacy, and the legacy of early modern institutions. He remains active in academic leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration, reflecting his commitment to advancing humanities research.