Matthew Bolton

Matthew Bolton is a Professor of Political Science and Co-Director of the International Disarmament Institute at Pace University, New York City, within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He is also affiliated with the Environmental Science and Studies department. A leading expert on the United Nations, peacebuilding, and the humanitarian and environmental consequences of weapons, Bolton was part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) team awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

• PhD in Government, London School of Economics and Political Science (2009)
• MS in Development Studies (Research), London School of Economics and Political Science (2005)
• BA in History and Religion, Graceland University (2001)
• MS in Environmental Studies, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (2025, in progress)

Matthew Bolton's research centers on nuclear disarmament, humanitarian disarmament, and environmental justice. His work explores the impacts of nuclear weapons testing on Pacific Island communities and urban legacies in NYC, while advocating for victim assistance and environmental remediation. He investigates the political economy of landmine and cluster munition clearance and emerging themes in more-than-human politics, including island sovereignty and human-wildlife conflict. His scholarship bridges activism and academia, emphasizing civil society’s role in global change.

His recent publications focus on nuclear disarmament, victim assistance, environmental remediation, and automated weapons. Themes include the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, NYC’s nuclear legacy, and humanitarian impacts of nuclear testing. The articles reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining political science, environmental studies, human rights, and post-colonial analysis, with a strong ethical and advocacy orientation.

Matthew Bolton has received significant recognition, including:

• 2017 Nobel Peace Prize (as part of ICAN)
• Honorary Doctorate from Middlebury College
• Honorary Doctorate from Graceland University

Bolton has secured competitive grants, including a 2024 Teagle Foundation grant for The City and the Sea, aimed at creating an undergraduate fellowship in public service for first-generation students at Pace. His advisory roles include appointment to NYC’s Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Advisory Committee by the City Council Speaker in 2023. He has co-authored works with students and professionals, indicating active mentorship. Bolton is affiliated with the International Disarmament Institute, a hub for research and advocacy on disarmament and environmental justice.