Research

My research examines questions of legitimacy and authority in new modes of global governing. With old-style multilateralism increasingly under strain, it explores how we can address global challenges (such as corruption and the Internet) in new and innovative ways. I study both global governance innovations within multilateral organizations (such as peer review among states) and outside of traditional multilateral frameworks (such as multistakeholder global governance). 

My research combines insights from international relations, political and social psychology, sociology, political science, global studies, and international law. It takes a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews, questionnaire-based surveys, qualitative content analysis, and participant observation. In the past years, I have conducted interviews at the Council of Europe, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). I have also conducted fieldwork as part of the Netherlands delegation to meetings of the Implementation Review Group of the UN Convention against Corruption.

More information about my research on global Internet governance and ICANN can be found here.

More information about my research on peer review among states and the global fight against corruption is available here.