Nazarbayev University has appointed Professor Riccardo Pelizzo, an internationally recognized political scientist and public policy analyst, as Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP).
Professor Pelizzo, who previously served as Acting Dean, is a professor whose work focuses on political development, institutional reform, and governance in developing countries. His research has contributed to the design of analytical frameworks used to assess parliamentary capacity and institutional performance. He is currently developing diagnostic tools to measure political stability and other dimensions of good governance.
According to NU President Waqar Ahmad, GSPP has strengthened its research performance since 2023. Half of the school’s publications rank in the top decile globally, and more than one-third fall within the top 5 percent. Annual research output remains stable at approximately 60 publications. “I expect Prof. Pelizzo to build on the School’s outstanding record in research, teaching and policy engagement. GSPP has to ensure that its world-class research and teaching make a significant and lasting difference to public service policy making in Kazakhstan”, he said.
The Provost, Prof. Rehan Sadiq, welcomed the appointment, noting: “I am pleased to have such a distinguished scholar and experienced academic leader as part of the University’s deans’ team. I am confident that Prof. Pelizzo will continue to strengthen GSPP’s academic excellence and its contribution to public policy.”
According to ScholarGPS, Prof. Pelizzo ranks in the top 0.44% of researchers globally in governance over the past five years. He has received multiple fellowships and research grants. He has authored 17 monographs, contributed 43 book chapters, and published more than 90 articles in peer-reviewed journals. His work has been published and translated into 14 languages. His recent book, The Culture of Accountability (Routledge, 2022), co-authored with Gianfranco Pasquino, examines the role of accountability in democratic governance.
Beyond academia, Prof. Pelizzo has engaged with policymakers and practitioners in more than 25 countries, providing expertise on constitutional design, institutional reform, and governance. In Kazakhstan, he has advised government agencies and contributed to public policy discussions.
This is among a number of senior appointments that will strengthen academic leadership at NU.
