Joseph Felter is a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution (Stanford University) and the William J. Perry Fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation. His career bridges academia, military service, and policy advising, with expertise in counterinsurgency, national security, and US-China relations. He coauthored the influential book Small Wars, Big Data: The Information Revolution and Modern Conflict (2018) and developed the Hacking for Defense curriculum to connect military needs with Silicon Valley innovation. Military Background: Former US Army Special Forces officer with combat deployments in Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Served as commander of the COMISAF Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team. Academic Roles: Assistant Professor at West Point’s Department of Social Sciences, Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs, and current codirector of Stanford’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project. Research Focus: Politically motivated violence, economic development in conflict zones, and defense innovation. His work appears in top journals like American Economic Review and Journal of Conflict Resolution . Policy Engagement: Key advisor on US defense strategy (2017–2019) and founder of BMNT, a Silicon Valley defense technology incubator. Currently serves on Spirit of America’s board. Scientific Awards: Recognized as a William J. Perry Fellow and US Army War College Fellow. His empirical conflict research informs both academic and policy debates.
Janina Dill holds the Dame Louise Richardson Chair in Global Security at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. She is also a Professorial Fellow at Trinity College and Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict (ELAC). Her academic work focuses on the intersection of law, morality, and international relations in the context of war. Her research spans three interconnected strands: the legal requirements for military operations under international law; theoretical frameworks for understanding how international law serves as an instrument of morality in war; and empirical investigations into how moral and legal norms affect real-world military decision-making and public opinion in conflict zones. Professor Dill's work has particular relevance to contemporary conflicts, with extensive analysis of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. She has examined how international humanitarian law applies to these conflicts, the moral arguments employed by different parties, and the practical challenges of implementing legal constraints in complex warfare environments. Her research has been recognized with the prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize in 2021, which she has used to advance her work on the moral psychology of decision-making in war. She is currently leading multiple significant research projects, including a three-year ESRC/NSF-funded study on "Cumulative Civilian Harm" and an expert process with the ICRC on military objectives under international humanitarian law. Professor Dill is frequently consulted by international media outlets including The Guardian, The Economist, BBC, CNN, and major European publications. Her expertise is regularly sought on matters related to the laws and ethics of war, particularly regarding the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. She has received recognition for her contributions to the field through numerous speaking engagements, media appearances, and her influential research that bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical applications in contemporary conflicts.
Rod Andrew Jr. is a Professor and Alumni Master Teacher in the Department of History at Clemson University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Humanities. He retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and previously served as Officer-in-Charge of the Field History Branch at the U.S. Marine Corps History Division. His research focuses on U.S. Military History, the American South, and cultural history, with notable works on Southern figures like Wade Hampton and Andrew Pickens. Education: Ph.D., University of Georgia (1997) M.A., Clemson University (1993) B.A., University of North Carolina (1987) Research Interests: Combines Southern history with military and cultural analysis, emphasizing leadership, institutional crises, and regional identity. Current projects include a forthcoming book on post-WWII Marine Corps challenges. His work bridges military strategy, political dynamics, and cultural narratives. Recognition: Mary Lawton Hodges Prize in Southern Studies (2009) Harry M. Ward Book Award (for Andrew Pickens biography) His teaching spans courses on the American South, military history, and World War II. He actively collaborates with military history institutions, contributing to official historical documentation and analysis.
Dr. Marina Miron is a post-doctoral researcher at King’s College London’s Department of War Studies and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Military Ethics. Her work focuses on military strategy, cybersecurity, and ethical education in conflict contexts. She holds a PhD from the University of New South Wales (Australian Defence Force Academy) and has taught at institutions like the NATO School and Colombian War College. Current projects include analyzing Russia/China’s information warfare strategies and developing country-specific military ethics programs for Colombia’s armed forces. She also advises on cyber defense, AI in military contexts, and drone technology impacts. Research interests span counterinsurgency, hybrid warfare, cyber operations, and ethical dilemmas in modern conflict. She co-leads a British Academy-funded project on Western countermeasures against information warfare and contributed to NATO’s counterterrorism training programs. Her work bridges technological advancements with ethical considerations, particularly in unmanned systems and medical ethics. Publications analyze Russian cyber capabilities, drone public perception, and historical conflict resolution cases like Peru. She frequently appears in media discussions on Ukraine and cybersecurity threats. Professional networks include King’s Cybersecurity Centre and Freeman Air & Space Institute.
Dr. Gavin Mount is a researcher at UNSW Canberra , specializing in non-traditional security studies , ethnic conflict , and the sociopolitical implications of emerging technologies . His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical applications in conflict transformation and defense studies. Research Focus: Global politics of ethnic conflict, hybrid peace/war frameworks, and socio-political impacts of drone technology. Teaching: Courses like Ethnic Conflict in World Politics and Law, Force and Legitimacy , with a focus on military education and strategic studies. Publications: Recent work includes contributions to Thinking Swarms (2025) and Hybridity on the Ground in Peacebuilding and Development (2018). Grants: Leads the Curricula Integration of Student Wellbeing Resources project under HERDSA. Key Themes across his research include the intersection of technology and conflict, evolving defense paradigms, and pedagogical innovations in security studies.
Jonathan P. Wong is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work bridges academic research and defense policy, focusing on military strategy, acquisition, force planning, and the integration of emerging technologies into military operations. Education: Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Policy Analysis (Pardee RAND Graduate School), M.A. in Security Studies (Georgetown University), B.A. in Political Science (UC San Diego) Professional Experience: U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer (2001–2011), Consultant at Boston Consulting Group, current RAND researcher and professor Wong’s research interests center on defense innovation, military logistics, artificial intelligence in warfare, space capabilities, and the human dimension of military operations. He has led studies on human-machine teaming, non-lethal weapons, defense acquisition reform, and U.S. military posture in the Indo-Pacific. His work emphasizes practical, policy-relevant insights grounded in operational experience. The trends in his recent publications reveal a deep engagement with modern defense challenges: integrating commercial technologies into military systems, improving acquisition agility, enhancing battlefield awareness, and ensuring that defense innovation serves warfighter needs. His research spans strategic, operational, and tactical levels, often focusing on the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Wong has not received public recognition in the form of listed awards in the provided texts, but his leadership in congressionally mandated studies and high-impact policy research suggests significant influence in defense circles. Advising & Grants: Co-led major projects such as the Long Range Precision Fires study and research on integrating women into Marine Corps infantry. His work is frequently funded by the Department of Defense and other federal entities, though specific grant details are not listed. Wong is affiliated with RAND’s defense and national security research teams, contributing to strategic analysis and policy development. He is not associated with a formal lab but works within RAND’s collaborative research environment, often partnering with other veterans and defense experts to produce actionable insights for military leaders and policymakers.
Barbara Zanchetta is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. She specializes in Cold War history, American foreign policy, and transatlantic relations. Her work examines US-Soviet détente, nuclear arms control, and the strategic implications of post-Cold War policies. She is the author of The Transformation of American International Power in the 1970's and co-author of Transatlantic Relations since 1945 . Currently, she is researching US policies toward the Persian Gulf and their role in the collapse of the Soviet Union. Her teaching includes courses on international history, US national security, and the War on Terror. She is affiliated with the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War, the Latin American Security Research Group, and the Centre for Grand Strategy. Her research explores the intersections of diplomacy, conflict, and security policy, with a focus on Cold War legacies and modern geopolitical challenges. Zanchetta has organized international conferences, including a hybrid event in Paris on the consequences of the Cold War’s end. Her commentary on contemporary issues, such as NATO’s expansion and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, reflects her expertise in historical and strategic analysis.
William Reno is Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. With a PhD from the University of Wisconsin (1992), he has established himself as a leading scholar in African politics, conflict studies, and international relations. His career spans over three decades of research on state collapse, insurgency, and security assistance in fragile states, with particular expertise in West Africa and the Horn of Africa. His educational background includes a B.A. from Haverford College (1984), M.A. from the University of Chicago (1985), and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin (1992). Reno has held significant administrative roles including Director of the Program of African Studies (2012-2018) and currently serves as Department Chair since 2019. He previously served as non-resident Fellow at the Modern War Institute of the US Military Academy and has extensive experience as the department's graduate director. Reno's research focuses on the comparative politics of Africa, politics of violent conflict, political effects of foreign military assistance, and asymmetrical warfare. His work examines how patronage-based regimes operate in weak states, the evolution of insurgency in Africa, and security assistance strategies in fragile contexts. He has conducted extensive field research in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, and Congo, with particular attention to how state collapse reshapes political authority and armed group behavior. His scholarship reveals critical insights about why contemporary African insurgencies differ from earlier anti-colonial movements in their organizational capacity and political programs. Reno has supervised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to prominent positions in academia, government, and military institutions. His advisees include scholars examining topics ranging from minority communities in conflict zones to military effectiveness in African states. Many of his students have military backgrounds or policy experience, reflecting Reno's own engagement with practical security challenges. He has secured significant research funding including Fulbright-Hays Fellowships, Boren Fellowships, and support from organizations like the Social Science Research Council. Reno maintains active research collaborations with scholars globally, particularly through his work with the Program of African Studies. His current projects focus on the politics of security force assistance, political economy of jihadism, and armed groups in contexts of state collapse. His scholarly approach combines deep area expertise with theoretical innovation, often challenging conventional wisdom about conflict dynamics in fragile states.
Alfred W. McCoy is the Harrington Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work spans modern empires, Philippine political history, global drug trafficking, and CIA covert operations. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University, alongside an M.A. from the University of California-Berkeley and a B.A. from Columbia College. His research has produced seminal works such as The Politics of Heroin (1972), which exposed CIA complicity in drug trafficking, and To Govern the Globe (2021), analyzing imperial systems from the Black Death to climate crisis. His investigations into torture, surveillance, and Philippine military culture have won major awards, including the Wilbur Cross Medal (2012) and the Association for Asian Studies’ Kahin Prize (2011). McCoy has advised students like Christopher Hulshof and Daniel Jackson. His teaching focuses on Southeast Asian history, U.S. foreign policy, and imperial studies. Courses include The Vietnam Wars and CIA Covert Warfare . His contributions include exposing Marcos’s 'fake medals' in the New York Times and co-editing award-winning volumes on Philippine historiography. He currently holds the J.R.W. Smail Chair in History and has received the Hilldale Award for Arts & Humanities.
Dr. Jack McDonald is a Senior Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London’s Department of War Studies, and Director of the Centre for Science & Security Studies. He holds affiliations with the Environmental Security research group, Military Innovation Network (MIN), and the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War. His research examines the intersection of ethics, law, technology, and warfare, focusing on issues like targeted killings, autonomous weapons, and the legal frameworks governing modern conflict. Education details are not explicitly stated, but his academic output demonstrates expertise in international law, military strategy, and technology’s role in warfare. He has authored two major books and contributed to peer-reviewed journals and policy papers for entities including Chatham House and the UN Mine Action Service. Recent publications emphasize digital technology’s impact on warfare ethics, including works on data privacy in conflict zones and the legitimacy of remote warfare tactics. His research also addresses emerging challenges like climate change’s role in conflict dynamics and the slavery-war nexus. Dr. McDonald supervises PhD students in his specialist areas and teaches courses such as Dirty Wars and War, Technology, and Innovation . He regularly participates in international conferences and public discussions on modern warfare trends, including panels on drones, cyber warfare, and the Ukraine conflict’s strategic implications.
Dr. Samuël Kruizinga , an Associate Professor of Contemporary and Military History at the University of Amsterdam , is a leading scholar on conflict, neutrality, and transnational warfare. His research spans World War I/II blockades, postcolonial conflicts (e.g., Indonesian Independence War), and the role of small states in international relations. He leads the €10.2 million BLOCKADE: The Hidden Weapon project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and NTNU, exploring blockades' impact on violence, humanitarianism, and global order. Education: Leiden University, Sorbonne (Paris), University of Oxford, Ph.D. from University of Amsterdam (2011) Research Themes: Conflict resolution, resilience in crises, foreign fighters (e.g., Ukraine, Spanish Civil War), grey zone warfare, occupation studies His work bridges disciplines like international history, econometrics, and war studies. Recent publications analyze blockades, intelligence failures, and the moral ambiguities of colonial military operations. Kruizinga also contributes to debates on neutrality, historical memory, and the transformation of warfare. Scientific Awards: ERC Synergy Grant (€2.3 million) for the BLOCKADE project (2024)
Lindsey O'Rourke is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Boston College's Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. Her research examines U.S. foreign policy, international security, and covert regime change operations. Her work analyzes the causes, conduct, and consequences of U.S.-orchestrated covert interventions during the Cold War, gender dynamics in terrorism, and the strategic implications of regime change. Her book 'Covert Regime Change: America's Secret Cold War' received significant scholarly recognition. She teaches courses on U.S. foreign policy since 1945, the World Wars, and foreign-imposed regime change. Publications demonstrate three interconnected research streams: 50% on covert operations and regime change, 30% on gender dimensions of political violence, and 20% on contemporary security challenges. Her work combines historical analysis with contemporary policy implications.
Professor Ashley Jackson is a leading scholar in Imperial and Military History at King’s College London and a Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, Oxford. His career spans academic roles including Director of Research, Vice Dean (Research), and external examiner for multiple universities. Jackson holds fellowships from the Royal Historical Society and Higher Education Academy. He specializes in British imperial history with a focus on wartime contexts, particularly in Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. His research emphasizes colonial contributions to global conflicts and their underappreciated roles in World Wars. Educated at New College, Oxford, Jackson has authored over 15 books including The British Empire and the Second World War and Ceylon at War, 1939–1945 . Current projects explore the war’s impact on the British Empire and comparative global wartime experiences. He teaches at the Joint Services Command and Staff College and has lectured widely at military institutions and international forums like the Chalke Valley History Festival. Administratively, Jackson has led research strategy groups, managed doctoral fellowships, and served on peer review panels. His editorial roles include the Journal of African Military History and the Helion book series on South Asian military culture. He co-founded the British Empire at War Research Group and contributes to institutions like the Bodleian Library and the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. His awards include British Academy grants and AHRC funding for collaborative projects. Jackson’s work bridges academia and practice, addressing contemporary security issues in post-conflict regions like Afghanistan and the Sahel. He regularly engages with policymakers on counterinsurgency, humanitarian engagement with armed groups, and climate adaptation in conflict zones.
Dr. Kristian Gustafson is a Reader in Intelligence & War at Brunel University London's College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences , Department of Politics and History. He serves as Deputy Director of BCISS and leads the Distance Learning MA in Intelligence and Security Studies program. PhD in History from Cambridge University MA in History from University of Alberta BA (Hons) in History from Royal Military College of Canada His research focuses on practical intelligence analysis, structured analytical tools, and military doctrine. He has worked on improving counter-poaching outcomes in Africa and reducing gun crime through intelligence methods. Recent publications analyze intelligence failures in Kabul (2021), Ukraine war intelligence (2024), and structured analytic techniques across nations (2025). His work spans both academic journals and policy-oriented publications. Scientific recognition includes: CIA’s Walter L. Pforzheimer Award (2003) for outstanding contribution to intelligence history Co-editor of 'Intelligence Elsewhere' (2013), establishing comparative research agendas Teaching highlights: Convenor of MA Intelligence and Security Studies (Distance Learning) Module convenor for Contemporary Threats & Intelligence Analysis Director of Studies for MA Intelligence & Security Studies Professional experience includes senior lecturer at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, military service in Canadian and British armies, and consultancy roles with UK MOD and Cabinet Office.
Graham T. Allison, Jr. is the Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard Kennedy School, where he has taught for five decades. He previously served as the Founding Dean of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and as Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs until 2017. His career spans academia, government service, and international policy analysis, with significant contributions to national security studies and international relations. Dr. Allison's educational background includes: Davidson College Harvard College (B.A., magna cum laude, in History) Oxford University (B.A. and M.A., First Class Honors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) Harvard University (Ph.D. in Political Science) As a leading analyst of national security, Dr. Allison specializes in nuclear weapons policy, US-Russia relations, US-China relations, and decision-making processes in international crises. His research has profoundly influenced how scholars and policymakers understand great power competition and conflict prevention. He is particularly renowned for developing the concept of the "Thucydides Trap" to analyze the historical patterns when a rising power threatens to displace an established power. Dr. Allison's recent scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on contemporary geopolitical challenges, particularly US-China strategic competition, nuclear weapons policy, and conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. His publications bridge academic rigor with policy relevance, often providing historical context to current crises while offering concrete recommendations for policymakers. The breadth of his work spans traditional academic journal articles, policy briefs, and commentary in major media outlets, demonstrating his commitment to engaging both scholarly and public audiences. Dr. Allison has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to national security: Defense Department's highest civilian award, the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service Distinguished Public Service Medal (awarded twice - first by Secretary Cap Weinberger and second by Secretary Bill Perry) Throughout his career, Dr. Allison has advised multiple presidential administrations, serving as Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Clinton Administration and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense under President Reagan. He has been a member of the Secretary of Defense's Advisory Board for every Secretary from Weinberger to Mattis. His work has been supported by significant sponsored projects including the "Russia Matters Web Portal" funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and programs to help students train for Russia-related jobs funded by the U.S. Russia Foundation. Dr. Allison has maintained strong connections with the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, which he directed until 2017 and which remains ranked as the "#1 University Affiliated Think Tank" in the world. Through the Belfer Center, he has fostered relationships with international security experts from around the world, particularly with Israeli security officials and analysts with whom he has collaborated extensively.
