Austin Carson

Austin Carson is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Faculty Director of the Committee on International Relations (CIR). He holds a PhD from Ohio State University (2013) and joined the University of Chicago faculty in 2015. His research focuses on secrecy, intelligence, and their roles in international conflict, global governance, and diplomacy. Notable works include Secret Wars: Covert Conflict in International Politics (2018) and Secrets in Global Governance (2020, co-authored).

Carson’s research has explored topics such as the impact of racial tropes in foreign policy, the challenges of aging leaders in international politics, and the logistical infrastructure of intelligence operations. He has held fellowships at Princeton University’s Niehaus Center, George Washington University’s Institute for Security and Conflict Studies, and the Woodrow Wilson Center.

• Education: PhD in Political Science, Ohio State University (2013)
• Awards: Lepgold Prize, Robert O. Keohane Award, ISA Best Security Article, APSA Best Book (International Collaboration Section)
• Grants and Fellowships: Multiple research fellowships at prestigious institutions, including Princeton and Woodrow Wilson Center

His current projects include a book on intelligence infrastructure and its geopolitical implications, as well as work on historical case studies of secrecy’s role in conflict management. Carson’s writing has appeared in top journals like International Organization, American Journal of Political Science, and Security Studies.