Maria Ivanova

Maria Ivanova is a Professor of Public Policy and Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University. She specializes in international environmental governance, climate policy, and the science-policy interface. Her work emphasizes global environmental institutions, multilateral negotiations, and sustainability frameworks. She has advised governments in East Africa and served on high-level UN bodies like the Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Education:

• PhD in International Environmental Policy, Yale University
• Master’s degrees in International Relations and Environmental Management, Yale University
• Bachelor of Arts in European Studies, Mount Holyoke College

Her research explores the effectiveness of international environmental agreements and small states’ roles in global governance. She has authored influential books like The Untold Story of the World’s Leading Environmental Institution: UNEP at Fifty (MIT Press, 2021). Her awards include the 2025 Engaged Scholar Award and the Andrew Carnegie Fellowship (2015).

Professional Leadership:

• Jury member, Frontiers Planet Prize (2024–2025)
• Chair, New Shape Prize (2017–2018)
• Member, WCRP Joint Scientific Committee (2020–2024)

She bridges academia and public engagement, collaborating with artists and policymakers to address environmental challenges. As head of Northeastern’s delegation, she negotiates global treaties like the plastic pollution pact.