James Black

James Black coordinates the defence strategy, policy and capabilities research and wargaming portfolio at RAND Europe. He also serves as European lead for the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative, a global hub for RAND's space-related research, and capability lead for the Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition. Beyond RAND, he is also a non-resident NATO 2030 Fellow. 

Black's research focuses on strategy, policy and decision making in the context of uncertainty, complexity and rapid change. He has led a wide range of studies for the UK Ministry of Defence (DCDC, Dstl, DE&S, Strategic Command, Army, Navy and RAF), EU, NATO and the Australian, Finnish, Norwegian and U.S. defence agencies. He is also actively involved in wargaming, including as lead designer of strategic exercises at the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Research topics of interest include the future of UK, EU, NATO and European defence; strategy and geopolitics; force development and acquisition; defence innovation and industrial base issues; horizon scanning; the impact of new technologies (e.g. autonomy, AI/ML, space); and emerging transnational security issues (e.g., Arctic security). His research has been featured in BBC News, Financial Times, Politico, Reuters and other outlets, as well as academic journals, and he has presented oral evidence to the UK Defence Select Committee.

Prior to RAND, Black worked in the UK Parliament. He holds a double M.A.-M.Sc. in international ecurity from Sciences Po and the LSE and a B.A. Hons in history from the University of Cambridge.