Jennifer Spindel

Jennifer Spindel is an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of New Hampshire, where she directs the International Affairs Program. Her research focuses on international security, arms trade dynamics, and civil-military relations, analyzing how weapons transfers function as strategic signals and shape global power structures. She contributes policy analysis to Foreign Affairs, War on the Rocks, and Defense One, and holds a non-resident fellowship at the Institute for Future Conflict (US Air Force Academy, 2024–2025).

• Education: Ph.D. in Political Science (University of Minnesota), BA in Peace and Conflict Studies (Colgate University)
• Research Themes: Arms trade as political signaling, diffuse power structures, public attitudes toward military diversity, civil-military relationship dynamics

Policy Engagement: Regularly contributes to national/international media, addressing defense strategy and arms trade implications. 2025 work explores mid-tier weapons’ strategic importance through Ukraine’s conflict experience. Collaborates with Stanton Foundation, Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation, and Global Racial and Social Inequality Lab.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2019 Kenneth Waltz Prize (Best Dissertation in International Security)
  • Course Development Grant (Stanton Foundation, 2021–2022)
• Advocacy: Breast cancer survivor and volunteer Patient Advocate with Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center