Our Mission and Philosophy
Northwestern University’s Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs brings together the brightest minds from across Northwestern University and around the world to address critical global challenges that cannot be solved from a singular disciplinary or geographic perspective. Our mission is to foster meaningful engagement across borders of all kinds. We create opportunities for dialogue across academic disciplines—the humanities, social sciences, business, law, medicine, the arts and more—and catalyze connections between researchers and experts from government, industry, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations worldwide.
Learn more.Our People and Programs
Convening and connecting.
People are our priority and our power. Northwestern Buffett is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to making our world a better place through collaborative teaching, research, and problem solving.
Our Leadership
Led by Associate Provost for Global Affairs and Executive Director Annelise Riles, we are guided by a team of faculty and staff directors working together to transform Northwestern’s global engagement under one defining University vision.
Our Scholars
We provide a home and a multidisciplinary intellectual community for faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows engaged in research and action on global issues.
Our Governance
Cross-campus and external committees of faculty, staff, and other stakeholders provide expert guidance and support for our work.View our Governing CommitteesOur Offices
Our offices manage the University’s central international programs and services while also creating and supporting Northwestern’s Global Strategic Plan.
Meet our staff.Affiliated Programs and Groups
Faculty Groups
Faculty-led research groups and programs facilitate the growth and exchange of ideas across disciplines and borders. They include:
- Deportation Research Clinic
- Equality Development and Globalization Studies (EDGS)
- Keyman Modern Turkish Studies
Student Groups
We value our longstanding partnerships with student organizations that provide important opportunities for global engagement. These groups include:
- Global Engagement Summit
- GlobeMed
- NU Community on Human Rights
