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James Black

James Black
Senior Analyst
Cambridge Office

Education

M.Sc./M.A. in international relations and international security, London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris; B.A. (Hons) in history, University of Cambridge

Overview

James is a senior analyst in the Defence, Security and Infrastructure (DSI) programme at RAND Europe. His work focuses on defence, geopolitical and strategic decision-making in the context of deep uncertainty, including research into the implications of the UK's decision to leave the European Union (“Brexit”) and the impact of emerging technologies on society and military operations. He has managed a wide range of quantitative and qualitative studies, primarily for the UK MOD, Dstl, EDA, NATO and the Australian and US DODs. He is also heavily involved in RAND Europe's wargaming workstream, including work designing the strategic exercise component of the Senior Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies, and other exercises at the NATO Defence College and elsewhere.

Research topics of interest include: the future of UK, EU, NATO and European defence (especially after Brexit); defence strategy and geopolitics; military force development and acquisition; defence innovation and industrial base issues; the impact of new technologies (e.g. autonomy, cyber, space); horizon-scanning; and transnational security issues (e.g. Arctic, Mediterranean security). His research has been featured in BBC News, the Financial Times, Politico, Prospect, Reuters and other outlets, as well as academic journals (e.g. Survival) and oral evidence to the UK Defence Select Committee. Prior to joining RAND, he worked in the UK Parliament and graduated summa cum laude with a double MA-MSc in International Security from Sciences Po and the LSE. He also graduated with a BA Hons in History from the University of Cambridge, where he was a scholar.

Research Focus

Commentary

  • Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May meeting with Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster and others inside 10 Downing Street, London, June 26, 2017

    Northern Ireland Is Now at the Forefront of Brexit

    After Prime Minister Theresa May's unexpected failure to win a majority in June's snap election, she is now reliant on Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to shore up a minority Conservative government. As Brexit negotiations begin, European politicians should refresh their knowledge of Northern Irish politics.

    Jun 29, 2017 HuffPost UK

  • Gibraltar profile with Euro flag

    This Latest Gibraltar Dispute Is a Sign of Things to Come

    In many ways, Gibraltar is the first Brexit issue where both the UK and EU find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. How this diplomatic problem is resolved now could help set the tone for Brexit negotiations during the next two years.

    Apr 5, 2017 Prospect Magazine

  • Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands

    How Will Defence and Security Be Affected by Brexit?

    Trade and migration issues have dominated Brexit discussions. But the UK's decision to leave the EU also creates challenges for security, deepening uncertainty at a time when little certainty exists.

    Mar 16, 2017 Prospect Magazine

Publications