Natascha Zaun

Prof. Dr. Natascha Zaun is a Professor of Public Policy and Law at the Institute of Political Science (IPW) at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. Her research focuses on European and international public policy, with a specialization in asylum and migration politics. She examines the influence of populism, scientific evidence, and independent courts on migration policy formulation and implementation. Previously, she held academic roles at the London School of Economics (LSE) as Assistant Professor (2017–2022) and Associate Professor (2022–2023), and was a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford (2016–2017).

Education & Scholarships

• PhD in Political Science from Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (2015)
• Master's in Political Science, Public Law, and French Philology from University of Bonn (2010)
• Recipient of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarships for research stays at LSE and the German Embassy in Costa Rica

Research Interests

Zaun's work bridges theoretical and empirical analyses of migration governance, emphasizing the interplay between institutional frameworks and societal norms. Recent studies explore how expert knowledge and judicial reviews shape policy outcomes in contentious areas like border control and refugee distribution.

Grants & Collaborations

• Contributed to projects such as the EU's role in international mediation and the Clean Circles initiative on sustainable mobility
• Collaborated with institutions like the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and the London School of Economics

Labs/Teams

Affiliated with Leuphana's IPW, known for interdisciplinary research on global governance and migration studies.