Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 5, 2026

Ken Conca

Ken Conca is an American professor of international relations specializing in global environmental politics, including peacebuilding, water politics and governance, and the United Nations. Since 2010, he has worked at the Department of Environment, Development & Health, at the School of International Service of the American University in Washington, D.C. He is the author of multiple award winning books, and has received numerous awards for his teaching and service at American University. He is also known for helping to initiate the environmental peacebuilding field, together with co-author Geoff Dabelko.

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Ken Conca is an American professor of international relations specializing in global environmental politics,1 including peacebuilding, water politics and governance, and the United Nations.2 Since 2010, he has worked at the Department of Environment, Development & Health, at the School of International Service of the American University in Washington, D.C. He is the author of multiple award winning books,3 and has received numerous awards for his teaching and service at American University. He is also known for helping to initiate the environmental peacebuilding field, together with co-author Geoff Dabelko.4

Education

Conca studied geological Science at Brown University, and completed his undergraduate degree in 1982.5 He then obtained an MS at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.6

Awards and honors

  • 2003 Harold & Margaret Sprout Award of the International Studies Association for his co-authored book "Confronting Consumption"7
  • 2006 Chadwick F. Alger Prize of the International Studies Association for his book "Governing Water: Contentious Transnational Politics and Global Institution Building"8
  • 2006 Harold & Margaret Sprout Award for his book "Governing Water: Contentious Transnational Politics and Global Institution Building"7
  • 2006 Elmer Plischke Faculty Research Award in Political Science
  • 2018 Al-Moumin Award (and distinguished lecture) together with Geoff Dabelko "for their outstanding contributions to environmental peacebuilding" from the Environmental Peacebuilding Association9
  • 2021 Grawemeyer Award winner for "Ideas Improving World Order" for his book "An Unfinished Foundation: The United Nations and Global Environmental Governance"10
References

References

  1. "Ken Conca". www.wilsoncenter.org. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  2. "Ken Conca". Earth System Governance. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  3. "Ken Conca | SESYNC". www.sesync.org. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  4. Hegazi, Farah (20 July 2023). "Environmental Peacebuilding and Sustainable Peace". Peace News Network. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  5. "Class of 1982". www.brownalumnimagazine.com. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  6. "Professor". American University. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  7. "Harold & Margaret Sprout Award". www.isanet.org. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  8. "Chadwick Alger Prize [IO]". www.isanet.org.
  9. "Al-Moumin Lectures - Environmental Peacebuilding". 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. "UN must rethink its approach to environmental problems" (PDF). Grawemeyer Announcement Ken Conca. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
External links