Christopher is a second year DPhil (PhD) candidate in International Relations and all-but-dissertation, completing all coursework at distinction. Under the supervision of Professor Dominic Johnson, his thesis explores the micro-foundations of political violence, from terrorism to civil war, as rooted in predictable evolutionary-adaptive biases. This line of research builds on his time at St Andrews’ Center for the Study of Terrorism (CSTPV) and his studies on terrorist leadership at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program (SSP), where he was a fully-funded Merit Scholar.
Beyond the PhD, Chris is affiliated with the Oxford Changing Character of War Centre (CCW) where he co-founded and co-lead the Cyber Strategy and Information Operations Group. New for 2022-23, he is the Founder and Director of the Emerging Threats Group at CCW, which explores the transformative implications of new technologies, from quantum and AI to biotech and space platforms. He is a member of Hertford and Christ Church colleges, an aspiring rower, and supporter of the Crankstart Society for first-generation scholars. As a public service mentor, he counsels students at Oxford and Georgetown and seeks to develop the best talent from those committed to public service.
Outside academia, Chris has over a decade of experience across government, cybersecurity, and biotech in North America and Europe. He has worked for two U.S. Senators, including the current leader of the Senate, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In the private sector, he advanced virtualized solutions globally at VMware and contributed to one of the first mRNA vaccine platforms at an NIH-funded startup. Presently, he works in cybersecurity in the Washington, D.C. area. Outside work, Chris enjoys sailing and running.
Academic Awards
Future of Humanity Finalist (2021) 30 finalists/450 Oxford PhDs for full funding
3x Merit Prize Recipient (2018-20) Top 1% of master's and $50k scholarship
CSS Research Fellow (2019) Fully-funded extremism fieldwork in Germany & UK
Georgetown Merit Scholar (2018) 50% scholarship from Prof. Bruce Hoffman
Paul Wilkinson Prize (2015) Best graduating St Andrews IR student
Nisbet Trust Prize (2015) Highest St Andrews IR grades for 2014-2015
Matt Howell Prize (2015) Top St Andrews IR dissertation (full marks)
Research Interests
Sub-state Violence: Terrorism, Civil War, and Insurgency
Leadership Analysis: State and Non-State Leaders
Political, Social, and Evolutionary Psychology
Teaching
International Security
U.S. Politics and Government
IR Core Paper
Publications
- Cybersecurity Presentations (2021-2022). Oxford Cyber Strategy Working Group (Nuffield College & CCW): Inaugural Lecture on Disinformation (11/21); Countering Disinformation (11/21); Signaling, Shaping, and Coercion in Cyberspace (3/22); Operational and Strategic Cyber Activities in Ukraine (4/22); and Cyber-Space Domain Convergence (5/22).
- Invited speaker: “Reciprocal Radicalization, Terrorist Leadership, and Implications for the Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism Enterprises.” Mortara Center for International Studies, Georgetown, February 25, 2020.
- “Reciprocal Radicalization: A New Framework for Analysis and the Case of al-Muhajiroun and the English Defence League in Britain.” Georgetown Security Studies Review 8, no. 1 (2020).
- “Terrorism: A Review of the Current Threat Landscape.” Georgetown Security Studies Forum, February 6, 2020.
- “Combating the Opioid Epidemic: The Interception of Illicit Opioids by the Border Patrol.” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, May 23, 2018.
- “Combating the Opioid Epidemic: Intercepting Illicit Opioids at Ports of Entry.” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, May 10, 2018.
- Contributing author: “Fueling an Epidemic: Exposing the Financial Ties Between Opioid Manufacturers and Third Party Advocacy Groups.” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, February 12, 2018.
- Contributing author: “Overruled: White House Overrules Department of Homeland Security Budget Requests for Counterterrorism Programs.” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, December 12, 2017.