Prof. Maria Ivanova Receives 2025 Engaged Scholar Award

On March 5, the Environmental Studies Section of the International Studies Association (ISA) presented this year’s Engaged Scholar Award to Policy School Director Maria Ivanova. The Committee noted her bold scholarship, which has generated meaningful public impact.
 
Prof. Ivanova’s scholarship interrogates international environmental institutions, environmental sustainability, and the science-policy interface. Her work in these areas is embedded in strong and enduring relationships with institutional leaders and policymakers at multiple levels of governance.

Prof. Ivanova’s commitment to engaged scholarship has been a fundamental part of her work:

• Convening global leaders: Bringing together UNEP Executive Directors to strengthen organizational leadership.
• Shaping environmental governance: Leading the Global Environmental Governance Dialogues, uniting top policymakers.
• Developing impactful tools: Creating the Environmental Conventions Index to track treaty implementation and offering online courses for government officials.
• Bridging research and practice: Empowering students by integrating them into environmental policy negotiations.
• Building meaningful partnerships with governments: Serving on Rwanda’s national delegation for negotiations on a new global plastics treaty.

Prof. Ivanova’s commitment to engaged research is an inspiration for scholars in global governance. Her work exemplifies how academia can drive real-world change.