Tom F.A. Watts

Tom F.A. Watts is a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at the Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Royal Holloway University of London. His research intersects technology, war, and society, with a focus on military applications of AI, security imaginaries, and great power competition. He has published extensively in leading journals like Defence Studies, Big Data & Society, and The Conversation.

Research Interests

Watts's work explores remote warfare, particularly its evolution post-Iraq War and its role in US foreign policy continuity under the Trump administration. He investigates autonomous weapon systems, global governance debates, and cultural narratives around AI through lenses like the Terminator franchise. His research bridges International Relations theory with empirical analysis of technological warfare.

Recent Publications

His recent output spans interdisciplinary topics such as cross-cultural AI narratives, ethical implications of AI in security, and the influence of popular culture on policy debates. Articles like Stay Skeptical and The Terminator at 40 reflect his focus on critical engagement with AI's militarization.

Scientific Awards

• BISA Postgraduate Excellence in Teaching International Studies Prize (2018)
• University of Kent Social Sciences Seminar Leader Teaching Prize (2017)

Teaching & Projects

He teaches MSc modules on US foreign policy and international policy practice (2024/25). His Leverhulme Trust-funded project Great Power Competition and Remote Warfare: Change or Continuity in Practice? (2022–2025) examines shifts in US security strategy under Trump. He previously contributed to the ERC-funded AUTONORMS project at the University of Southern Denmark.