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Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

About

The Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs advances research and teaching about the world beyond the borders of the United States. We draw on cutting-edge international research across Northwestern’s twelve undergraduate, graduate and professional schools to generate new knowledge about pressing global challenges and promising solutions for addressing them.

Global FamDNA Working Group co-lead Sara Huston, International Commission on Missing Persons Roundtable in The Hague
From pioneering material science to innovative work on the human past, our faculty and scholars contribute to public understanding of complex international problems. Through our multidisciplinary Global Working Groups, we develop knowledge, policies and technologies to improve people’s lives.
We support cohorts of Buffett Faculty Fellows in addition to hosting visiting scholars and the Roberta Buffett Visiting Professor of International Studies each year. We also help Northwestern scholars find research partners within the university through lunchtime workshops and support international research partnerships through Global Collaboration Grants.
Buffett Visiting Scholar Haman Mana Book Talk on 35 Years of Journalism in Cameroon
International Senior Thesis Research Grantee Clara Oh Research Trip to City, Country
We offer Northwestern undergraduates opportunities for learning about the world through innovative courses, international research assistantships and internships, and interactions with global leaders. Buffett Undergraduate Research Fellows work with faculty members on international research projects. In 2024–25, our Elliott Scholars will investigate debates about international development through an interdisciplinary program that includes an international internship this summer. 
For graduate students, the Buffett Institute offers intellectual community for those who work on international and global subjects. We provide scaffolded funding through international research and conference awards as well as grants for language training. We also support cohorts of Research and Dissertation Fellows.
Photos by Dissertation Fellow Vidura Jang Bahadur Research Trip to Kalimpong, India
Abortion Access Today: Global Insights & Comparisons Buffett Symposium
Throughout the academic year, the Buffett Institute hosts a lively program of events, many of which are open to the general public, including book talks, conversations with global leaders and symposia. Our 2024–25 symposia are Abortion Access Today: Global Insights & Comparisons in the fall, AI & Geopolitics in the winter and From War to Peacemaking: The Role of International Diplomacy in the spring.
We work closely with the Global Learning Office, Office of International Student & Scholar Services, Office of Global Safety & Security, Office of the Vice President for International Relations and the Weinberg College Center for International & Area Studies to advance the university's work internationally and to support international learning for the next generations of global citizens.
Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

Our Leadership & Staff

Our leaders and staff work to make the Buffett Institute a beacon for global affairs.

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Our Offices

The Buffett Institute's offices span two locations on Northwestern's Evanston campus.

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Our Scholars

We host visiting scholars as well as a Roberta Buffett Visiting Professor of International Studies each year in addition to supporting cohorts of Faculty Fellows and Global Impacts Graduate Fellows.

Meet our scholars

Our Governance

Cross-campus and external committees of faculty, staff and other stakeholders provide expert guidance and support for our work. 
View our governing committees