Mai'a K. Davis Cross
Dean’s Professor of Political Science, International Affairs, and Diplomacy; Director of the Center for International Affairs and World Cultures
Mai’a K. Davis Cross is the Dean’s Professor of Political Science, International Affairs, and Diplomacy and Director of the Center for International Affairs & World Cultures at Northeastern University. She is also a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Professor Cross’s work investigates the long-term driving forces behind breakthroughs in international cooperation at both the elite and societal levels. She has specific expertise in space diplomacy, public diplomacy, European Union and transatlantic relations, security cooperation, and soft power (CV). Her current research, supported by a major grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York, is Transnational Political Networks and the Future of Global Order, which will result in around 20 new case studies, including the global network catalyzed by the Polynesian Voyaging Society (Hokule’a). She holds a PhD in Politics from Princeton University, and a bachelor’s degree in Government from Harvard University.
She is the author or co-editor of seven books, including most recently International Cooperation Against All Odds: The Ultrasocial World (Oxford University Press, 2024). This book draws upon new insights about human nature from evolutionary biology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, anthropology, among others, to examine the underlying causes and processes that have led to unanticipated instances of international cooperation across time. Her latest, forthcoming book is The European Union’s Grand Strategy: A Planetary-Scale Approach for Safeguarding the Future (Oxford University Press).
Her previous books include, European-Russian Power Relations in Turbulent Times (University of Michigan Press, 2021) and The Politics of Crisis in Europe (Cambridge University Press, 2017). She is the winner of the Best Book Prize from the University Association of Contemporary European Studies for Security Integration in Europe (University of Michigan Press, 2011). In addition to these major works, Professor Cross has also written over 50 articles and book chapters.
- Nobel Peace Institute Fellow, 2016
- Best Book Prize for Security Integration in Europe from the University Association for Contemporary European Studies, 2012
- American Political Science Association Pi Sigma Alpha Teaching Recognition, 2012
- USC Learning Environment Award for teaching using technology, 2012
- Winner of the USC Steven B. Sample Teaching and Mentoring Award, 2011. (given to one junior faculty member university-wide each year)
- Fulbright Fellow, 2009
BOOKS
- The European Union’s Grand Strategy: A Planetary-Scale Approach for Safeguarding the Future, Oxford: Oxford University Press, in press, 2026
- International Cooperation Against All Odds: The Ultrasocial World, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024
- Space Diplomacy (co-edited with Saadia Pekkanen), Special Issue, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 2023.
- European-Russian Power Relations in Turbulent Times (co-edited with Ireneusz Pawel Karolewski), Ann Arbor: University oF Michigan Press, 2021.
- The Politics of Crisis in Europe, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2017.
- Europe’s Hybrid Foreign Policy: The Ukraine-Russia Crisis, (co-edited with Ireneusz Pawel Karolewski), Special Issue: Journal of Common Market Studies, 2017.
- Security Integration in Europe: How Knowledge-based Networks are Transforming the European Union, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2011 (hardback), 2013 (paperback). 2012 Best Book Prize from the University Association for Contemporary European Studies.
- European Public Diplomacy: Soft Power at Work, (co-edited with Jan Melissen), Series in Global Public Diplomacy, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.
- The European Diplomatic Corps: Diplomats and International Cooperation from Westphalia to Maastricht, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
ARTICLES & BOOK CHAPTERS
- For a complete list, please see CV.
GRANTS
- Carnegie Corporation of New York, “Transnational Political Networks and the Future of Global Order,” PI, 2024-2026
- Norwegian Research Council, “Earth to Orbit – Building Bridges in Space Governance,” Project Partner, 2025-2028
- EU Horizon 2020, “Reconsidering European Contributions to Global Justice (GLOBUS),” Work Package Leader at ARENA Center for European Studies, 2016-2018 (€2.5 million)
- International Studies Association Catalytic Research Grant, 2015-2016
- Journal of Common Market Studies workshop grant for special issue, 2015
- University Association for Contemporary European Studies Workshop Award, 2012
FELLOWSHIPS
- Institute of European Studies, University of California Berkeley, Summer Visiting Scholar 2022
- Humanities Center, Northeastern University 2017-8
- Nobel Fellowship, Nobel Peace Institute, Oslo 2016
- Fulbright, EU Affairs Research Program, Brussels, Paris, London 2009
- European Union Institute for Security Studies, Paris 2009
- Institute for European Studies, Cornell University 2006-8
- Bradley Fellowship for research in Madrid, Brussels, Valladolid 2004-5
- Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques (Sciences Po), Paris 2002-3
- Princeton University President’s Fellowship 2000-5
- Life Member, Council on Foreign Relations
- Journal of European Integration – Editor, 2018-2023
- Palgrave Studies in International Relations – Series Editor, 2016-2021
- Council on Foreign Relations – Term Member, 2014-2019
- European Security – Editorial Board, 2019-present
- The Hague Journal of Diplomacy – International Advisory Board, 2014-present
- Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael – Senior Visiting Fellow, 2012-present
- Palgrave Studies in International Relations – Series Editor, 2016-2021
- Place Branding and Public Diplomacy – Editorial Board, 2012-present
- Journal of European Integration – Editor, 2018-2023
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Education
PhD, 2005, Politics
Princeton University
AB, Government
Harvard University -
Contact
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Address
921 Renaissance Park
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
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