Daniel Nicholls' research analyses hierarchy in the international system from a relational and role-theory perspective, looking at how the way in which actors are interconnected into patterned structures of interaction generates certain role-bargaining dynamics and subsequent social locations. Empirically Daniel looks at how the United States' authority role in South America has changed over time as relational structures have shifted and roles have been recast. His work has recently been published in International Studies Review and he is currently working on a book project. Daniel occasionally guest posts at Duck of Minerva.