Frederick W. Mayer

Frederick "Fritz" Mayer is a Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Environment, as well as the Associate Dean for Strategy and Innovation at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He teaches courses on the political economy of public policy, globalization and governance, political analysis, and leadership. Mayer directs POLIS: The Center for Political Leadership, Innovation and Service, focusing on the intersection of narrative and politics. His research emphasizes the importance of shared stories in facilitating collective action within communities, as discussed in his book Narrative Politics: Stories and Collective Action (Oxford University Press, 2014). Additionally, he examines the impacts of globalization, particularly concerning labor and environmental issues related to economic integration. His earlier work includes Interpreting NAFTA: The Art and Science of Political Analysis (Columbia University Press, 1998), which analyzes the political processes surrounding NAFTA's creation. Mayer's recent research explores the implications of global value chains in international trade and the influence of large firms on trade terms. His extensive experience includes serving as a senior international trade and foreign policy advisor to former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and various roles in Washington D.C., including policy analyst at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He holds an A.B. in history and literature from Harvard College, along with an M.P.P. and a Ph.D. in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.