Nicholas Kitchen

Dr Nicholas Kitchen is an Associate Professor in International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Power Competition (CGPC) at the University of Surrey. He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE), an MRes from Keele University, and a BA from the University of Oxford. His academic career includes roles at the LSE as Assistant Professorial Research Fellow, Executive Director of the LSE Diplomacy Commission, and Head of Analysis at LSE IDEAS.

His research focuses on power dynamics in international relations, including realist theory, great power competition, and the interplay between ideas and strategy. He currently supervises PhD students in US Foreign Policy, International Relations Theory, and Neoclassical Realism. His teaching spans undergraduate modules on Contemporary International History, International Security, and American Foreign Policy, as well as postgraduate courses on International Intervention and Post-Conflict Processes.

Dr Kitchen’s publications analyze strategic transitions, US foreign policy shifts, and the evolution of American grand strategy. His recent work explores neoclassical realism frameworks, hegemonic transitions, and the rapprochement between the US and Cuba. He serves as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Visiting Fellow at LSE IDEAS, and Treasurer/Acting Convenor of the US Foreign Policy Working Group of the British International Studies Association.

Academic leadership roles include Director of Undergraduate Programmes at Surrey and Impact Lead, emphasizing knowledge transfer. His work bridges theoretical rigor with practical policy analysis, particularly in strategic assessment and global power competition dynamics.