Biography
Tana Johnson, an EUI fellow, is a member of the faculty in Public Affairs and Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work is driven by big puzzles in international relations and by important real-world problems, such as: in national and international affairs, how do we design institutions, delegate tasks, and manage bureaucracies? How do we navigate tradeoffs when issues—such as economic and environmental policy—overlap? How can governments, businesses, and civil society operate better?
She examines the operations of the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international institutions. Her research has been published in top outlets such as International Organization, Journal of Politics, Review of International Political Economy, and Review of International Organizations. Johnson’s book “Organizational Progeny: Why Governments are Losing Control over the Proliferating Structures of Global Governance” shows that in a variety of policy areas, global governance structures are getting harder for national governments to control. The book won the International Studies Association’s Alger Prize for the best book on international organisation and multilateralism. Johnson’s co-authored book, “International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance” examines policymaking across many international institutions. Intended as a comprehensive examination of governance concepts, actors, and policy areas, the book is of use to scholars, students, and practitioners. Johnson has received fellowships from Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, and other research centres.