INTRODUCTION
Dr. Bivens (PhD, Northern Illinois University) is a scholar of international relations and comparative politics. His research interests include postcolonial theory, LGBTQ+ rights in sub-Saharan Africa, comparative regionalism, and global governance. His work has been published in outlets such as Africa Today and Pacific Affairs and has received awards from organizations such as the American Political Science Association (APSA). His current book project is centered on the role of identity formed in regional organizations and how that identity shapes domestic norms.
At EIU, Dr. Bivens teaches courses on subjects relating to international relations, comparative politics, and public policy. This includes special topics such as the politics of developing nations, comparative regionalism, gender and sexuality, and public policy analysis.
Publications
Bivens, Robert Tanner. 2024. “Progress & Skepticism: What Angola’s New Penal Code Means for its LGBTQIA+ Community.” Africa Today. 70(4): 25-46.
Serey, Rithiya, Robert Tanner Bivens, & Aarie Glas. 2024. ““This is Not the 90’s”: Myanmar and Change in ASEAN’s Normative Order.” Pacific Affairs. 97(4): 773-794.
Education & Training
Ph.D., Political Science, Northern Illinois University (2024)
M.A., Political Science, Ohio University (2017)
B.A., International Studies, Ohio University (2012)
Research & Creative Interests
Diplomacy
Regional Organizations
Comparative Regionalism
Postcolonial Relations
International LGBTQ+ human rights
Foreign Policy
Sub-Saharan Africa
Southeast Asia
Conference Presentations
Select Paper Presentations
2025. “Trust and Consensus Building in Regional Governance: A Comparative Analysis between ASEAN and the CPLP.” International Studies Association Annual Conference. Chicago, IL. Co-Author: Rithiya Serey (Forthcoming)
2025. “Socialization and Economics: The CPLP Socialization of Equatorial Guinea and its Death Penalty Abolishment.” International Studies Association Annual Conference. Chicago, IL. (Forthcoming)
2024. “Socialization and Economics: The CPLP Socialization of Equatorial Guinea and its Death Penalty Abolishment.” ISA Midwest 2024. St. Louis, MO.
2024. “Sacredness and Sexuality in Public Policy: The Influence of Constitutional Islamization on LGBT Rights.” ISA Midwest 2024. St. Louis, MO. Co-Author: Farzana Sharmin.
2024. “Productive Shared Identity: Angola, the CPLP, and LGBTQIA+ Acceptance.” International Studies Association 2024 Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA.
2024. “Sacredness and Sexuality in Public Policy: The Influence of Constitutional Islamization on LGBT Rights.” 81st Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference. Chicago, IL. Co-Authors: Aarie Glas & Rithiya Serey
2024. ““This is not the 90s”: Myanmar and Change in ASEAN’s Normative Order.” 81st Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference. Chicago, IL. Co-Author: Farzana Sharmin
2023. ““This is not the 90s”: Myanmar and Change in ASEAN’s Normative Order.” ISA-GSCIS 2023 Conference. Bangkok, Thailand. Co-Author: Rithiya Serey & Aarie Glas
2023. “Productive Shared Identity: Angola, the CPLP, and LGBTQIA+ Acceptance.” Illinois Political Science Association (IPSA) Annual Conference. Elmhurst, IL.
2023. ““This is not the 90s”: Myanmar and Change in ASEAN’s Normative Order.” 119th APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2023. Los Angeles, CA. Co-Authors Rithiya Serey & Aarie Glas
2023. “Sharing Norms: The Process of LGBTQIA+ Norm Diffusion through the Shared Identity of Lusophone States.” 119th APSA Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2023. Los Angeles, CA. 2023
2023. “Sharing Norms: The Process of LGBTQIA+ Norm Diffusion through the Shared Identity of Lusophone States.” ISA 2023 Virtual Conference. Online.
2023. “Ethnic Coalitions and the Trajectories of Civil Resistance Campaigns.” 4 Corners Conflict Network 8th Annual Conference. Moab, UT. Co-Author Ches Thurber
2023. “Ethnic Coalitions and the Trajectories of Civil Resistance Campaigns.”. International Studies Association Annual Convention. Montreal, Quebec, CAN. Co-Author Ches Thurber
2023. “Scoring Commitment: Differentiating Human Rights Agreements Using Item Response Theory” International Studies Association Annual Convention. Montreal, Quebec, CAN. CoAuthor Colin Kuehl
2022. “Understanding Diplomatic Practice Influences on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Norm Diffusion Dynamics.” International Studies Association (ISA) 2022 Annual Convention: A Wider Discipline for a Smaller World. Nashville, TN.
2021. “Norm Transference: Understanding Patron-Client Norm Diffusion in the Emergence of International Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Human Rights.” ISA-Midwest Annual Conferences 2021. St. Louis, MO.
2021. “Ethnic Coalitions and the Trajectories of Civil Resistance Campaigns.” American Political Science Association (APSA) 2021 Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Seattle, WA. CoAuthor Ches Thurber
2021. “Ethnic Coalitions and the Trajectories of Civil Resistance Campaigns.” International Studies Association (ISA) 2021 Annual Convention: Globalization, Regionalism and Nationalism: Contending Forces in World Politics. Las Vegas, NV. Co-Author Ches Thurber.
2021. “Norm Transference: Understanding Patron-Client Norm Diffusion in the Emergence of International Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Human Rights.” 2021 Western Political Science Association (WPSA) Annual Meeting: Populism, Nativism, Democratic Backsliding, and Pandemic Politics. Seattle, WA.
2018. “Human Security: The Evolution of a Definition and the Role of the State.” International Studies Association’s (ISA) International Security Studies Section (ISSS) Annual Conference. West Lafayette, IN.
2017. “Human Security: The Evolution of a Definition and the Role of the State.” 49th Annual Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA) Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
Roundtables Convened
2025. “Exploring Positionality and Reflexivity: Ethical Considerations and Dilemmas of LGBTQ+ Field Research in the Global South.” International Studies Association Annual Convention. Chicago, IL. Co-Creator: Aditya Anand Singh. (Forthcoming)
Roundtable Participation
2025. “Exploring Positionality and Reflexivity: Ethical Considerations and Dilemmas of LGBTQ+ Field Research in the Global South.” International Studies Association Annual Convention. Chicago, IL. (Forthcoming)
Chair & Discussant Roles
International Studies Association Annual Convention (2024, 2025) (2)
International Studies Association Midwest Conference (2024) (1)
International Studies Association (ISA) Virtual Conference (2023) (1)
Frequently Taught Courses
Courses Taught
PLS 2253G: Introduction to International Relations
PLS 2293G: Introduction to International Relations, Honors
PLS 3861B: Special Topics in IR & CP: International LGBTQ+ Politics
PLS 4823: Comparative Public Policy
PLS 5433: Proseminar in Comparative Politics
PLS 5843: Proseminar in Public Policy Research & Analysis
Courses I Plan To Teach in the Future
PLS 3333: Politics of Latin America & the Caribbean
PLS 3353: Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
PLS 3393: Politics of Developing Nations
PLS 5023: Proseminar in International Relations
Funding & Grants
2024 Eastern Illinois University DWF Collaborative Redesign Initiative Grant ($3000)
2024 ISA-Midwest Travel Grant ($250)
2024 Frisch Travel Grant ($600)
2024 ISA Travel Grant ($400)