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.