Elizabeth Nyman

Elizabeth Nyman is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies and the Department of Liberal Studies. Her expertise lies at the intersection of maritime policy, ocean governance, and climate change, with a focus on Arctic and Antarctic regions, energy security, and legal frameworks for maritime disputes.

• Education:
• Ph.D. in Political Science, Florida State University, 2010
• M.A. in Political Science, Florida State University, 2006
• B.A. in International Relations, College of William and Mary, 2005

Her research interests emphasize the governance of transboundary marine issues, including biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems, and the evolving interplay between maritime law and emerging challenges like offshore energy development and disaster management. She actively contributes to international initiatives, such as the United Nations' Second World Ocean Assessment and Earth Systems Governance's Oceans Task Force.

Her publications reflect a commitment to addressing gaps in marine law and policy, particularly in polar regions and areas affected by resource exploitation. Recent work highlights trends in techno-optimism and the role of monitoring technologies in ocean governance, as well as the urgency of updating aging legal frameworks like the Law of the Sea Convention.

• Professional Roles:
• Member of the Pool of Experts, Second World Ocean Assessment, United Nations (2018–2020)
• Section Co-Leader, International Law, Oceans Task Force, Earth Systems Governance (2018–Present)
• Secretary and Council Member, North American Society for Oceanic History (2016–Present)

Elizabeth advises students in courses like MAST 441: Maritime Piracy and POLS 347: Politics of Energy and the Environment, fostering interdisciplinary engagement with maritime challenges. She is also involved in grants and initiatives aimed at improving collaborative governance models for offshore environmental disasters. Her academic contributions are further supported through presentations at major conferences, including the International Studies Association and Arctic Change.

Elizabeth is affiliated with the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, leveraging its resources to explore marine policy through both scholarly research and digital storytelling. Her work extends to video game narratives that contextualize maritime politics, such as analyzing BioShock through the lens of island utopias and dystopias.