Margaret P. Karns is a distinguished scholar of international relations with a special interest in global governance and international organizations. She is currently visiting professor in the Ph.D. program on global governance and human security at the University of Massachusetts Boston after a long career at the University of Dayton, where she remains professor emerita of political science.
With Karen Mingst of the University of Kentucky Karns has published three books: International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance; The United Nations in the Post-Cold War Era; and The United States and Multilateral Institutions: Patterns of Instrumentality and Influence. She has authored or co-authored numerous articles on UN peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding, global governance, and the future of the UN system. Karns' current research focuses on women in leadership in global governance.
Featured Work
DEC 2, 2020 • Podcast
The United Nations at 75: Looking Back to Look Forward, Episode 4, with Bertrand Ramcharan
Bertrand Ramcharan, former acting high commissioner for human rights, discusses why he thinks the "UN human rights system is in crisis" and details the complicated ...
NOV 12, 2020 • Podcast
The United Nations at 75: Looking Back to Look Forward, Episode 3, with Noeleen Heyzer
Noeleen Heyzer, former executive director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, discuss the role of women in the UN over the years. Heyzer ...
OCT 22, 2020 • Podcast
The United Nations at 75: Looking Back to Look Forward, Episode 2, with Maria Ivanova
University of Massachusetts Boston's Dr. Maria Ivanova speaks about the UN's efforts on climate change, focusing on the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (...
OCT 7, 2020 • Podcast
The United Nations at 75: Looking Back to Look Forward, Episode 1, with David M. Malone
David M. Malone, rector of United Nations University, speaks about the Security Council, the Sustainable Development Goals, peacekeeping, and more. How can the UN continue ...