Research areas
I study international norms and organizations.ÌýOne strand of my current research focuses on how (social, legal and moral) norms, taboos, and personal principles affect decision-making in international relations. Empirically, I am studying decision-making on gender-based violence, sex trafficking, and military humanitarian intervention. The other research strand focuses on principal-agent relationships and delegation decisions in international organizations, particularly the UN Security Council. Concretely, one of my long-standing research interests is the relationship between the UN Security Council and the Ombudsperson of the 1267 sanctions regime; more recently, I have developed an interest in penholding dynamics. More generally, I seek to bridge divides between constructivist and rational choice scholars.
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My prior research has treated norm contestation as a problematique to understand norm development in international relations. Specifically, I developed theoretical frameworks on processes and possible outcomes of norm contestation that can guide empirical research. My book (2025, CUP),Ìý, develops a typology of the different outcomes that norm contestation can have and discusses explanations for this variation in outcome. I look at contestation by the United States but also by less powerful actors such as international courts and small states. My case studies include high-stakes debates over maritime boundaries, the interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and over the right to self-determination.Ìý
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For information on ongoing research projects, please consult my .
Selected publications
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Stimmer, A. & Bower, A., 18 Dec 2025, The Oxford handbook of norms research in international relations. Gholiagha, S., Orchard, P. & Wiener, A. (eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 225-236 12 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Stimmer, A. & Snidal, D., 11 Dec 2025, The Oxford handbook of norms research in international relations. Gholiagha, S., Orchard, P. & Wiener, A. (eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 273-285 13 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Bower, A. (Editor) & Stimmer, A. (Editor), 11 Dec 2025, The Oxford handbook of norms research in international relations. Gholiagha, S., Orchard, P. & Wiener, A. (eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 223-298 75 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Other contribution
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Stimmer, A., 20 Feb 2025, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Open access
Stimmer, A., 1 Jun 2024, Contesting the world: norm research in theory and practice. Orchard, P. & Wiener, A. (eds.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 164-181
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Open access
Stimmer, A. & Gliserman, J., Dec 2022, In: European Journal of International Relations. 28, 4
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Stimmer, A., 2019, In: International Studies Quarterly.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Stimmer, A., 2019, In: Journal of Global Security Studies.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Stimmer, A., 2019, In: International Affairs.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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