Adam Bower

Dr Adam Bower is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in International Relations at the University of St Andrews, serving as Director of Impact and co-founder of the Centre for Global Law and Governance. He holds interdisciplinary roles as a Fellow of the Outer Space Institute and member of the Scottish Council on Global Affairs. His research focuses on how international law and norms interact with political power, particularly in arms control, space governance, and humanitarian law. Bower earned his PhD in Political Science from the University of British Columbia (2012), followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Oxford and the European University Institute. His teaching spans IR theory, international organizations, security, and justice.

Research emphasizes strategic engagement with international institutions and norm dynamics in areas like outer space regulation, nuclear disarmament, and the International Criminal Court. His recent work critiques US antipreneurship in space weaponization and explores global constitutionalism’s role in space governance. Bower collaborates across disciplines, contributing to policy-relevant research through transnational networks.

Publications span peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, reflecting his expertise in norm diffusion, legal frameworks, and geopolitical strategy. His pedagogical contributions include shaping introductory IR curricula and institutional teaching practices at St Andrews. Current research initiatives address orbital uncertainty governance and the evolving legal architecture of outer space activities.