Dr. Jessica Neafie is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University. Prior to her hiring at Nazarbayev University, Dr. Neafie finished her Ph.D. at the University of Oregon (USA) in 2020 and served as a Non-Tenure Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University. Dr. Neafie also has an M.A. in Climate Science and Policy from Columbia University (2012), an M.A. in Diplomatic Studies from Westminster University (U.K., 2009) and a B.A. in Asian Studies and Political Science from the University of Florida (2003). 

Dr. Neafie’s research focuses on various issues, including the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the environment, the interactions between society and Multinational Corporations (MNCs), and the impacts of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative in Developing Countries. She has authored a peer reviewed article for Politikon.