How do international organizations emerge as focal actors in global governance? This lecture introduces a new conceptualization of focality and presents an innovative method for measuring it through social network analysis. Moving beyond conventional indicators such as size or resources, Dan Xu develops network-based focality metrics that capture how organizations’ relational positions within multiplex governance networks enhance their embeddedness, visibility, legitimacy, and overall influence. Drawing on an original dataset of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and orchestration cases by the G20, G7, and BRICS, the study further demonstrates how focality shapes intermediary selection in informal governance. This approach not only advances our theoretical understanding of indirect governance by informal intergovernmental organizations (IIGOs) but also offers a replicable, quantitative tool for assessing the role of international organizations in global governance.

Speaker

Dan Xu is a PhD researcher in International Relations at the University of Glasgow and a visiting researcher at the IHEID, Geneva. Her research focuses on international organizations, institutional interactions, and global governance. She has a particular interest in informal international organizations, such as the G20, G7, and BRICS, exploring how they collaborate with other global actors to address pressing international challenges.

CHAIR

James Hollway, Director, Global Governance Centre

SWIPE (Seminars for Work In ProgrEss) is a new work in progress series incubating and developing the next research in global governance. Lunch is provided to feed your feedback-producing brains, so please register so that we cater appropriately.