Maya Van Nuys (she/her) is a PhD student in international relations and comparative politics. Maya’s research interests focus broadly on political violence, policing, and postconflict peacebuilding. Maya’s work centers critical approaches to international relations that stress the role of racism and legacies of empire in conflict dynamics and state-building. 

Prior to coming to the University of Chicago, Maya received a Bachelor’s in international studies and peace and conflict studies from the University of Kansas in 2019. Before pursuing a career in academia, Maya toured North America as a professional violinist with an Americana band.