B. (Benjamin) Johnson, PhD

Professional Appointment

University of Groningen / Assistant Professor of Humane Artificial Intelligence and International Relations

Department of International Relations and International Organizations (IRIO)
September 2023 - Present, Groningen, Netherlands

• Assistant Professor (UD2) research and teaching position focusing on artificial intelligence and its implications for international relations.
• Research interests include artificial intelligence, Arctic security, cyber and other security technologies, future warfare, and securitization.
• Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses in international relations theory, history, policy, and governance.
• Specialized courses at the master’s level and thesis supervision.

Education

York University / Ph.D. Political Science
September 2016 - December 2022, Toronto, Canada

• Specialization in International Relations theory, Canadian Politics, and Security Studies.
• Dissertation Title: Sovereignty Through Security? Canada’s Arctic Defence in the Surveillance Age.
• Nominated for the Barbara Godard Prize for best dissertation in Canadian studies.

Carleton University / M.A. Political Economy
January 2012 - November 2015, Ottawa, Canada

University of Ottawa / B.A. (Honours) Political Science
September 2001 - October 2011, Ottawa, Canada

Competitive Awards and Funding

2024.         Fulbright-NATO Security Studies Award (EUR 11,000)

2021.         Fulbright Traditional Student Award (USD 15,000).

• 1. Susan Mann/Provost Scholarship (CAD 23,500).

2021.         Mobilizing Insights into National Defence and Security (MINDS) Initiative

Doctoral Award, SSHRC and DND (CAD 80,000).

2019.         Northern Scientific Training Grant, Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) (declined due to Covid-19).

2019.         Ontario Graduate Scholarship (declined due to receiving SSHRC).

2018.         Nathanson Graduate Fellowship, Jack and Mae Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, Osgoode Hall Law School (CAD 10,000).

2018.         Mitacs Accelerate Award, Mitacs and the United Way of Greater Toronto (CAD 15,000).

2018.         Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, Annual Student Award of Excellence, 2nd place (CAD 600).

2018.         Arctic Security Course, Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Tromsø, Kirkenes, Norway (CAD 2000).

2017.         Knowledge Mobilization Unit/FGS, York University (CAD 11,300).

2016.         York University Graduate Entry Scholarship (CAD 3000).

2016.         Doctoral Fellowship, York University.

Publications

Journal Articles

2024.         “This world of tomorrow: sociotechnical imaginaries of security in the Canadian Arctic.” Critical Studies on Security, Vol. 12 (2): 187-208. Link

• 1. “Sensing the Arctic: Situational Awareness and the Future of  

Northern Security.” International Journal, Vol. 76 (3): 404-426. Link

2021.         “Reconceptualizing Security in the Post Covid-19 Era: The Role of

Human Security as a Framework.” Co-author with Sadia Malik and Amy Barlow. BMJ Global Health. Link

2018.         "Coded Conflict: Algorithmic and Drone Warfare in U.S. Security Strategy." Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, v. 18, n. 4. Link

Books

2020.         “Cyber Security Challenges Confronting Canada and the United States.” Co-author with John M. Weaver, DPA (York College, PA). Peter Lang Publishing: New York. 2020. ISBN: 978-1-4331-8102-3

Book Reviews

2022.         “Book Review – Wilfred Greaves & P. Whitney Lackenbauer, eds., Breaking Through: Understanding Sovereignty and Security in the Circumpolar Arctic.” ARCTIC Journal, Winter 2021. Link

2021.         “Extended Book Review - Rachael Lorna Johnstone & Anne Merrild Hansen, eds, Regulation of Extractive Industries: Community Engagement in the Arctic.” McGill Journal of Sustainable Development Law (MJSDL), v. 17, n. 2. Link

Other Publications

2025.        “Strategic Implications of Quantum Sensors and their Applications in the Arctic.” With Kristen Csenkey, Julie Clark, and Alexander Landry. Policy Brief. North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN). Link

2024.         “NATO at 75: Adapting to the Future of Technology.” Activity Report: North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN). Link

2024.         "Enhancing Arctic Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in Our North, Strong and Free." Quick Impact: North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN).  Link

2022.         “The Future Arctic.” Canada Watch (pp. 23-24, Spring, 2022). Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, York University. Link

2021.         “Munk, Hayek and the Fraser Institute: Tracing the insurgent pedagogy of the Canadian right.” Canadian Dimension (April 8, 2021). Co-author with Ryan Kelpin. Link

2019.         "Rebalancing the Opportunity Equation." Co-author with the Research and Strategic Development team at the United Way, Greater Toronto (May 6, 2019). Link  

Professional Activities 

Politics of Proof Research Group / Research Fellow

December 2024 – Present

·       The group explores the (global) politics of attribution, evidence and data in a 'post-truth' digital age.

·       As applications of AI-generated synthetic data, blockchain-based Zero-Knowledge-Proof mechanisms, and quantum technologies all evolve, we need to grapple with questions of proof: who is able to prove what, when, and how? On whom do 'burdens of proof' fall? How is proof recreated and reconstituted? How can proof mechanisms be investigated?

·       The group is actively planning interdisciplinary projects for team funding initiatives, including Horizon Europe.

Visiting Fulbright Researcher – Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

September – November 2024

·       Conducting research as a Fulbright-NATO security studies award grantee focused on artificial intelligence, ethics, and military systems.

·       Developing interdisciplinary professional relationships and engaging in outreach activities. 

·      Producing sole-author and contributing to several outputs, including a peer-reviewed journal paper, conference submissions, and eventually a book-length manuscript.

North American and Arctic Defence Security Network / Network Coordinator
July 2023 - Present

• NAADSN is a group of Arctic-focused researchers contributing to research and analysis to implement and operationalize Canada’s Arctic policy direction.
• Engage with other Network Coordinators with an emphasis on policy relevant outputs.

Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology research group, Development, Security, & Justice / Research Fellow
September 2023 - Present

• This research group examines the 'technological turn' in sustainability governance initiatives to promote equitable development and justice worldwide.
• It explores various questions raised by the growing deployment of sustainability technologies (SusTechs) for addressing global development, justice, and security challenges.
• The group seeks to inform policy and practitioner debates on balancing the possibilities and pathologies digital technologies can present for addressing sustainable development challenges.

Centre for Global Knowledge Studies (gloknos) / Affiliated Researcher 

January 2023 – Present

·       The Centre for Global Knowledge Studies (gloknos) was founded in 2017 with support from the European Research Council, and inaugurated at CRASSH, University of Cambridge, in October 2018. Since September 2023 it is hosted by both CRASSH and the Chair Group on Global International Relations the University of Groningen.

·       gloknos (/'glɒnɒs/) is a multi-disciplinary research centre and intellectual community concerned with the constitution, diffusion, exchange, and use of human knowledges throughout history.

Selected Presentations

·       “Arctic Security and Sustainability in Greenland: Hemispheric Security in a Trump World.” Invited lecture for Evangelisches Studienwerk. Monday, 12 May 2025.

·       “The EU and AI: ERIG Talk and Roundtable.” University of Groningen. 16 April 2025. 

·       “Public Lecture: Greenland’s Role in Arctic Security and Global Politics.” Faculty of Arts and SIB Groningen. Thursday, 27 March 2025.

·       “Back to the Front: Battlefield AI and the (Re)embodiment of war.” ISA Annual Conference 2025. Chicago, IL, USA, March 3-5, 2025.

·       “Responsible, ethical, competitive: Ecologies of Artificial Intelligence in Inter/National Security.” ISA Annual Conference 2025. Chicago, IL, USA, March 3-5, 2025.

·       “Innovation for Peace: Technology as a Driver of Global Stability." Invited speech for opening ceremony of Model UN Groningen (GrunnMUN). Groningen, NL, February 15, 2025.

·       “Back to the Front: Battlefield AI and the (Re)embodiment of war.” Platforms on the Frontline: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Studying New Technologies and Practices of Warfare. Workshop, Antwerp, Belgium, January 29-31, 2025. 

·       “International Security, Technology, and the Arctic.” K-12 Educator Workshop. World Affairs Council Seattle, Seattle, WA, USA, November 6, 2024.

·       “Quantum Security in the Arctic.” Arctic Securities: Competing Visions in the North America Arctic and Beyond. Canadian Studies Center and Arctic Initiative, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, Seattle, WA, USA, October 30, 2024.

·       “This World of Tomorrow: Security Imaginaries in the Canadian Arctic.” Media, Data Politics and Society Symposium: Emerging Theory and Research. University of Groningen, Netherlands, October 31, 2023.

·       “Sensing the Arctic: Imagining the Future of Northern Security.” Fulbright Canada Research Talks, April 16, 2021, online.

·       “Digital Security in a Material World: Imagination, technology, and the production of sovereignty in the Canadian Arctic.” Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies Graduate Student Conference, April 2021, online

• Digital Security in a Material World: Imagination, technology, and the production of sovereignty in the Canadian Arctic.” Presentation. Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) Annual Conference, June 2021, online
• “Technology and Security Imaginaries in the Canadian Arctic.” Presentation. International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention, April 2021, online
• “Arctic Imaginaries in International Relations.” Guest lecturer, POLS 4101 Canada and the Arctic. York University, February 2020
• “The True North: Security and surveillance in the Canadian Arctic.” Presentation. International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention, March 2020, Honolulu, HI (cancelled due to COVID-19)
• “The True North: Security and surveillance in the Canadian Arctic.” Presentation. International Studies Association (ISA) Northeast, November 2019, Providence, RI
• “Changing Technologies of War and Peace.” Presentation. International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Conference, March 2019, Toronto, ON
• "Critical Encounters with Technologies of Security and War: Perception, Detection, Embodiment, Subjectification." Invitation, roundtable discussion with Antoine Bousquet, Catherine Charrett, Rhys Machold, Katharine Hall, Aggie Hirst, and Mark J. Lacy. International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Conference, March 2019, Toronto, ON
• “War and Technology.” Guest lecture, POLS 2940 Introduction to International Relations Theory. York University, March 2019
• “Security in the Arctic.” Course and roundtable. University of Tromsø’s Centre for Peace Studies, the Barents Institute, the Research School for Peace and Conflict/PRIO, and the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education, April 2018, Kirkenes, Norway.