I am a political economist with a focus on issues related to sustainable development, global governance, and the effects of migration, refugees, and citizenship on social, economic, and political development, and transnational engagement. As an academic, my regional focus is South Asia, the U.S. and Europe. However, I have conducted analyses and led projects in South America, North and West Africa, the Middle East as well as in South-East Asia.
I serve as faculty director for the UN Partnership Initiative at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where I teach international development, global governance, public policy, international relations, migration and refugee studies. I have previously thought at The New School's Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs.
I hold a Ph.D. in political science and political economy from the University of Münster, Germany. A graduate in law from Humboldt University in Berlin and La Sapienza in Rome, I also hold a post-graduate degree in economics from the University of Hagen.
I have conducted projects, research, and trainings on development, migration, and population affairs on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, World Bank, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI). I have advised USAID, the German International Cooperation (GIZ/GTZ), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the German Foundation for international Development.
My book «Migration, Citizenship and Development» (2013, Oxford University Press) examines how country-of-origin citizenship affects migrants activities, such as remittances, investment, philanthropy, return migration and political lobbying. It examines how a legal status shapes national and transnational belonging and how citizenship in the country of origin influences naturalization and attachment to the country of residence. For more information on the book, see www.migration-citizenship-development.com
I also created and edit the blog Multilateralism in Action as a platform for think-pieces on cutting-edge issues regarding multilateralism and global governance written by leading experts in both practice and research.
See also my profile at Columbia University.
News & Updates
I serve as faculty director for the UN Partnership Initiative at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where I teach international development, global governance, public policy, international relations, migration and refugee studies. I have previously thought at The New School's Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs.
I hold a Ph.D. in political science and political economy from the University of Münster, Germany. A graduate in law from Humboldt University in Berlin and La Sapienza in Rome, I also hold a post-graduate degree in economics from the University of Hagen.
I have conducted projects, research, and trainings on development, migration, and population affairs on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, World Bank, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI). I have advised USAID, the German International Cooperation (GIZ/GTZ), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the German Foundation for international Development.
My book «Migration, Citizenship and Development» (2013, Oxford University Press) examines how country-of-origin citizenship affects migrants activities, such as remittances, investment, philanthropy, return migration and political lobbying. It examines how a legal status shapes national and transnational belonging and how citizenship in the country of origin influences naturalization and attachment to the country of residence. For more information on the book, see www.migration-citizenship-development.com
I also created and edit the blog Multilateralism in Action as a platform for think-pieces on cutting-edge issues regarding multilateralism and global governance written by leading experts in both practice and research.
See also my profile at Columbia University.
News & Updates
FRESH OFF THE PRESS
Naujoks. Daniel. 2025. “The Mobility Mandala: Conceptualizing Human Mobility in the Sustainable Development Framework.” Global Perspectives 6 (1): 133867. https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2025.133867
Naujoks. Daniel. 2023. “Overcoming Insecurities: The Future of Human Mobility Regimes.” Journal of International Affairs 75 (1): 95-112.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2023. “International Treaties, Conventions, and Laws on Forcible Displacement.” In: Nancy Murakami and Mashura Akilova (eds.) Integrative Social Work Practice with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Forcibly Displaced Persons, Springer, pp. 45-67.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “Multilateral Approaches to Mobility in the Middle East and North Africa Region.” International Development Policy 14 | 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/poldev.4795.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “A transnational research agenda on the determinants, policies, and impacts of diaspora direct investments.” Research in Globalization 4.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “Trends, Drivers and Dynamics of Flight and Migration.” In Hans-Joachim Preuß, Dirk Messner, and Christoph Beier (eds), Forced Displacement and Migration. Approaches and Programmes of International Cooperation, Wiesbaden: Springer, pp. 19-40.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2025. “The Mobility Mandala: Conceptualizing Human Mobility in the Sustainable Development Framework.” Global Perspectives 6 (1): 133867. https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2025.133867
Naujoks. Daniel. 2023. “Overcoming Insecurities: The Future of Human Mobility Regimes.” Journal of International Affairs 75 (1): 95-112.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2023. “International Treaties, Conventions, and Laws on Forcible Displacement.” In: Nancy Murakami and Mashura Akilova (eds.) Integrative Social Work Practice with Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Forcibly Displaced Persons, Springer, pp. 45-67.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “Multilateral Approaches to Mobility in the Middle East and North Africa Region.” International Development Policy 14 | 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/poldev.4795.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “A transnational research agenda on the determinants, policies, and impacts of diaspora direct investments.” Research in Globalization 4.
Naujoks. Daniel. 2022. “Trends, Drivers and Dynamics of Flight and Migration.” In Hans-Joachim Preuß, Dirk Messner, and Christoph Beier (eds), Forced Displacement and Migration. Approaches and Programmes of International Cooperation, Wiesbaden: Springer, pp. 19-40.
IN THE PRESS
In January 2023, the German national TV ZDF published excerpts from an interview with me on Ukraine's claim that Russia is not the lawful holder of the UN Security Council seat in "Initiative der Ukraine: Moskaus Ausschluss aus UN-Rat realistisch?"
In July 2020, Pass Blue's "UNscripted" podcast on "how to get a job at the UN" features quotes from me on the ins and outs of UN jobs.
In July 2019, FrankNews interviewed me about the Mobility Mandala, the links between migration and refugees and human development, borders, economics, and human rights.
In April 2019, I shared my views on the economic impact of immigration, the fallacy of the security focus vis-a-vis immigration and why the US should embrace a more open immigration policy at TRT World's The Square's show on separated families at US-Mexican border.
In July 2018, EfectoNaim interviewed me as an expert for their feature ¿Qué pasa cuando los campos de refugiados se convierten en ciudades permanentes? (What happens when refugee camps turn into permanent cities?)
In January 2023, the German national TV ZDF published excerpts from an interview with me on Ukraine's claim that Russia is not the lawful holder of the UN Security Council seat in "Initiative der Ukraine: Moskaus Ausschluss aus UN-Rat realistisch?"
In July 2020, Pass Blue's "UNscripted" podcast on "how to get a job at the UN" features quotes from me on the ins and outs of UN jobs.
In July 2019, FrankNews interviewed me about the Mobility Mandala, the links between migration and refugees and human development, borders, economics, and human rights.
In April 2019, I shared my views on the economic impact of immigration, the fallacy of the security focus vis-a-vis immigration and why the US should embrace a more open immigration policy at TRT World's The Square's show on separated families at US-Mexican border.
In July 2018, EfectoNaim interviewed me as an expert for their feature ¿Qué pasa cuando los campos de refugiados se convierten en ciudades permanentes? (What happens when refugee camps turn into permanent cities?)
In February 2017, APlus interviewed me live on the impact of migrants and refugees on the economy and the national security implications of refugees and the new US Executive Order banning immigrants, refugees and visitors from 7 countries.
In February 2016, the Turkish TV channel TRT ran a feature story on Syrian refugees in the US and political consequences, including the securitisation of this issue, featuring some quotes from an interview with me.
Flavie Halais' piece at DevEx on "Diaspora financing: What role for development organisations?" quotes an interview with me on diaspora investments.
Interview on organizing domestic workers, international legal standards, and informal labour markets quoted in piece on “At UN Conference, Domestic Workers Push for International Labor Standards” In These Times, March 19, 2015.
In February 2016, the Turkish TV channel TRT ran a feature story on Syrian refugees in the US and political consequences, including the securitisation of this issue, featuring some quotes from an interview with me.
Flavie Halais' piece at DevEx on "Diaspora financing: What role for development organisations?" quotes an interview with me on diaspora investments.
Interview on organizing domestic workers, international legal standards, and informal labour markets quoted in piece on “At UN Conference, Domestic Workers Push for International Labor Standards” In These Times, March 19, 2015.
TALKS & EVENTS
If you're at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (ISA), Ohio, check out our
If you're at the 2026 World Convention of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN), NYC, check out our
If you're at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Studies Association (ISA), Ohio, check out our
- Panel on “International Organizations' Governance Regimes for Human Mobility,” Mar 25, 2026
- Panel on “A Major Overhaul of the Multilateral System: UN80 & the Trump Effect“, Mar 25, 2026
- Panel on “Eighty Years On: The United Nations in a Fragmenting World Order” Mar 24, 2026
- Panel on “Informal International Institutions and Governance Mechanisms,” Mar 24, 2026.
- ENMISA Distinguished Scholar Panel Honoring Fiona B. Adamson, Mar 23, 2026
If you're at the 2026 World Convention of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN), NYC, check out our
- Panel on “Comparative Research on Diasporas: Impact, Identity and Inclusion” May 29, 2026
- Panel on “Refugee Identities, Policies & Pathways”, May 28, 2026