Naim Kapucu

Dr. Naim Kapucu is a Pegasus Professor and Associate Dean of Research and Innovation at the University of Central Florida (UCF), affiliated with the College of Community Innovation and Education and the School of Public Administration. He previously served as Director of the School of Public Administration (2015–2020) and founded the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management (2008–2011). His roles also include joint faculty positions in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs and the Center for Resilient, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES).

Dr. Kapucu holds a Ph.D. in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (2003) and a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University (1997). His research focuses on emergency/crisis management, network governance, and collaborative public management, with over 10 books and numerous publications in top journals like Public Administration Review and Disaster Prevention and Management.

His accolades include the Fulbright Distinguished Chair (2021), Pegasus Professor Award (UCF's highest honor), and Luminary Award (2017). He has secured over $1M in external grants from NSF, USDA, and HHS, among others, and contributed to policy reforms in disaster resilience and governance.

Teaching highlights include courses on network governance and crisis leadership, with awards such as the Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award (2009) and Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2010). His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban resilience, public safety, and policy implementation through network analysis and stakeholder engagement.