Abstract:

The conventional wisdom in international politics holds that credibility — or the perceived likelihood that an actor will follow through on their commitments — is a quality that policymakers universally crave because it confers both status and material benefits which enhance one’s bargaining abilities. Indeed, according to major theories of crisis bargaining, credibility is one of the few qualities that is worth fighting for. Yet the conventional wisdom overlooks a central reality: decision-makers from different foreign policy bureaucracies do not share a common definition of either credibility or the circumstances under which credibility is worth sacrificing blood and treasure. In fact, American officials were sometimes aligned, but often divided over this question during major 20th century crises over Berlin, Taiwan, the Suez Canal, and the Balkans. 

The Bureaucratic Battlefield: Credibility and Crisis Decision-Making argues that diplomatic and military organizations understand credibility differently and thus may reach different conclusions about the wisdom of using force when their country is on the brink of war. Combining a general theoretical argument with quantitative, qualitative, and survey evidence, this book breaks open the black box of the state by revealing how bureaucracy moderates when decision-makers’ credibility concerns push them toward costly conflict. In doing so, it offers fresh perspective on why civilian rather than military officials are sometimes the most hawkish voices in the room, with major implications for theories of crisis bargaining.

Abstract:

This seminar will explore current key trends and insights shaping the future of nuclear energy policy and deployment both in the U.S. and globally. The speaker will present a potential vision for a future in which nuclear power enables net zero emissions by 2050. The narrow path required to turn this vision into reality is not only imperiled by the potential for a softening of national and global climate goals, but it is also challenged by a need to balance nuclear security with deployment. Key elements needed to realize this vision include mobilizing bold private capital investments, scaling a skilled workforce, revitalizing critical supply chains, engaging the public, and embedding safeguards and security into nuclear reactor and facility designs from the outset. As this future approaches, numerous opportunities and challenges will arise, inviting urgent research. The speaker will outline key areas of research needed to accelerate reactor deployment, secure and sustain the front and back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle, and ensure computational nuclear analysis tools are fully prepared to harness the power of the world's fastest computers. 

Bio:

The Honorable Kathryn D. Huff, PhD, is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From May 2021 to May 2024, she took a leave of absence from UIUC to hold multiple positions in the U.S. Department of Energy, including that of Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. Before joining UIUC, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow with both the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium and the Berkeley Institute for Data Science at the University of California - Berkeley. As a PhD student, she helped to reimagine the GENIUSv2 fuel cycle simulator and became the primary developer of the Cyclus simulator in its initial phase. In addition, she collaborated with the Systems Analysis group at Idaho National Laboratory to develop the Fuel Cycle Simulator Software Requirements that defined the goals and expectations for the Next Generation Fuel Cycle Simulator. She received her PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2013 as a student of Professor Paul P.H. Wilson. Her undergraduate degree was in Physics from the University of Chicago. Her PhD dissertation and postdoctoral work both focused on development of software for nuclear engineering applications such as the Cyclus simulator, PyNE, and extensions to MOOSE. She is particularly interested in robust modeling and simulation of advanced reactors emphasizing scientific software engineering best practices.

Bio:

Matt leads Biosecurity at Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE:DNA). Biosecurity is Ginkgo's business unit focused on national security and global pandemic response. Prior to building the Biosecurity business, Matt spent 4 years as Ginkgo’s Chief Commercial Officer and 7 years as an investor at IndUS Growth Partners where he was also the President and COO of Decision Resources Group. Matt has worked supporting business development at Palantir Technologies and is an active venture investor. Early in his career, he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Matt completed a degree in History at Dartmouth College and is a graduate of the joint degree program at the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government where he was a Zuckerman Fellow.

Washington Post Op-ed he co-wrote with Dr. Ashish Jha and Matt Pottinger: 

Dr. Castiglioni has 15 years of experience providing technical advisory services to the US Government on chemical and biological weapons nonproliferation issues, including the development, implementation, and enforcement of export controls. This includes supporting the Department of Energy's participation in the US Delegation to the Australia Group, participating in Department of Energy's stautory role in the review of license applications for exports of dual-use commodities, and serving as SME instructor, curriculum developer, and country lead for export control capacity building engagements led by Department of Energy with over 15 foreign partners. He also works with Department of State and Department of Homeland Security on projects involving chemical and biological WMD counterproliferation. He earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from Tufts University and a PhD in Biology from Brown University.

Unfortunately, Camila will be unable to visit campus at this time!! Stay tuned to see if we can get her rescheduled for later in the semester! 

Abstract: 

Housed at Argonne National Laboratory, IAEA Programs works with the Department of State to serve as an interface between the IAEA and the US nuclear community, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology, and supporting nuclear safety and security. Every year, the United States government sponsors US citizens to work for the IAEA as Cost-Free Experts, Junior Professional Officers, and Interns. IAEA Programs coordinates these sponsorships for the IAEA's non-Safeguards departments and Offices Reporting to the Director General. The IAEA Careers Program encourages well-qualified Americans to join the IAEA's professional staff in non-Safeguards departments and assists interested US candidates in applying to open positions.

Bio: 

Camila Martinica is an IAEA Programs Assistant at Argonne National Laboratory and leads the U.S. Funded internship program. Camila graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Global Studies and a minor in Arabic. She is interested in the intersection between environment, sustainability, and social responsibility and is passionate about the impact of nuclear technologies in developing countries.