Nicholas Oesterling is an assistant professor of public administration in the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University. He earned a Ph.D. in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 2026.

His research focuses on the nexus of the policy process, particularly policy design and implementation, with cross-boundary collaboration and collaborative governance. His current projects examine how governmental and non-governmental actors collaborate to tackle cross-sectoral and interjurisdictional public problems in environmental, transportation, energy, and public safety policy domains.

Oesterling’s recent publications have appeared in Policy Design and Practice, Environmental Management, and the  International Journal for the Commons. 

Collaborative governance and policymaking, policy design and implementation, cross-boundary planning and public service provision