STEVEN E. LOBELL portrait
  • Professor
  • Professor, Political Science Department
801-585-5259

Research Summary

Major areas of research: Neoclassical Realism; US Grand Strategy; Political Economy of International Security; Pre-Crisis and Near-Crisis Escalation (PI, Minerva Research Initiative); Great Power Competition and Emerging Powers; Beyond Great Powers and Hegemons. •Presentations on Crisis Prevention at NATO HQ and SHAPE on NATO’s New Strategic Concept.

Education

  • BA, Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • MA, Department of Political Science, New York University
  • Ph.D, Department of Political Science, U.C.L.A.

Biography

BIO and SUMMARY: Steven Lobell brings talent and a career of experience in identifying and promoting significant and emerging areas at the nexus of international security and international relations; encouraging research collaborations by bringing scholars, students, and policymakers together; and generating outcomes such as publications, grants, sponsored research, a new degree program and conferences.

 Interview and Minerva news, for a more extensive bio, see Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) “Alumni Confidential”.

Publications: Steven has published seven single, co-edited, and co-authored books (including Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and Stanford University Press), twenty-four peer review journal articles, and sixteen book chapters.

Research: Steven’s areas of research include: Neoclassical Realism, Political Economy of Security, Near-Crisis and Crisis Escalation, Grand Strategy, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Emerging and Weak States. He teaches courses on American Foreign Policy, Rise and Decline of the Great Powers, International Relations, and the Foundations of International Security. His research is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, building on political science, economics, 19th and 20th century diplomatic history, decision making, security studies, and area/regional studies (Middle East and Asia).

Grants/Fellowships/Awards: Steven Lobell is the PI of a Minerva Research Initiative and Office of Naval Research award ($1,179,073), “Power Projection, Deterrence Strategies, and Escalation Dynamics in an Era of Challenging Near Peers, Rogue States, and Terrorist and Insurgent Organizations.” His research on A Granular Theory of Balancing is funded by the Charles Koch Foundation ($21,107) and the Betty Glad Research Grant ($8,500). He is the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar award (Israel), a visiting fellowship at The Nobel Institute, funding from the Israel Institute and the Betty Glad Award, the Superior Research Award, and a University Teaching Award. He currently serves on the editorial boards of Security Studies and the Journal of Strategic Studies.

The Near Crisis Project: Why What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You,” organized and presented at the workshop hosted at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council, Washington, D.C. (10-11:30 am, ET, in person and virtual, January 27, 2023). A workshop on crisis prevention and pre-crisis management featuring a panel of speakers from the research team followed by a moderated discussion. YouTube video. He also presented findings at NATO HQ and SHAPE.

Key Words: International Security, Neoclassical Realism, Near-Crisis Escalation, Grand Strategy, Weak States, American Foreign Policy, Political Economy of Security