Systems and methods for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) emulsion polymerization are provided. The ATRP emulsion polymerization comprises a suspending medium, a dispersed medium, a surfactant, a transition metal compound in a higher oxidation state, a ligand, and an ATRP initiator. The transition metal compound is capable of forming a catalyst complex in a presence of the ligand. The catalyst complex is soluble in the suspending medium and is capable of forming an ionic complex with the surfactant. The ionic complex is capable of moving between the suspending medium and the dispersed medium. A portion of the transition metal compound in the higher oxidation state within a portion of the catalyst complex is reduced by a physical and/or a chemical procedure thereby initiating a polymerization of one or more radically (co)polymerizable monomers by reaction with the initiator.