James Black is deputy director of the Defence and Security research group at RAND Europe. He previously led the Defence Strategy, Policy and Capability research portfolio in Europe. He also leads the RAND Europe Space Hub (RESH) and advises the Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition.
Black's research focuses on the future of European and transatlantic defence and deterrence, and the impact of emerging tech and threats on strategic competition. He has delivered a wide range of interdisciplinary studies for the Australian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Ukrainian, UK and U.S. militaries, as well as EU, NATO and UN agencies. He is also actively involved in wargaming, including as lead designer of strategic exercises at the Royal College of Defence Studies.
Research interests include NATO/EU defence amidst Russia's War in Ukraine; strategy and geopolitics; force development and acquisition; defence industry; and the impact of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, drones, DEW, space) and security issues (e.g., Arctic security). His research has featured in BBC News, Financial Times, New York Times, Politico, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and other outlets, as well as academic journals. He has briefed the UK Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees, Lords AI Committee, a U.S. Congressional commission, and UN OEWG negotiations. He was previously a non-resident NATO 2030 fellow.
Prior to RAND, Black worked in Parliament. He holds a double M.A.-M.Sc. in international security from Sciences Po and the LSE and a B.A. with Honors in history from the University of Cambridge.
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
NATO 2030 Fellow
