Verschuren Shares Research at MIT’s Security Studies Program
On February 14, 2024, Sanne Verschuren, Assistant Professor of International Security at the Pardee School of Global Studies, took the stage at MIT’s Security Studies Program to present her latest research. Titled “Imagining the Unimaginable: War, Weapons, and Procurement Politics,” her talk centered around her forthcoming book project of the same name.
In her presentation, Verschuren delved into the complexities of state decision-making in military technology development, focusing on her book project as a central case study. Tackling the question of why and how states choose to develop different weapon capabilities within similar military domains, she drew insights from her in-depth analysis of missile defense development in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and India.
This book project, based on Verschuren’s award-winning dissertation which received APSA’s 2022 Kenneth N. Waltz Outstanding Dissertation Award, promises to offer fresh perspectives on the intersection of ideas, norms, and institutions in shaping national security decision-making processes. Her presentation at MIT provided a glimpse into the thought-provoking research that underpins her forthcoming book.
Beyond her book project, Verschuren’s research has been featured in esteemed academic journals such as Global Studies Quarterly, War on the Rocks, and Inkstick Media. Her scholarly contributions reflect a deep-seated commitment to unraveling the complexities of international security dynamics.
Sanne Cornelia J. Verschuren, Assistant Professor of International Security at the Pardee School of Global Studies of Boston University, specializes in international relations and security policy. Her research, recognized with APSA’s 2022 Kenneth N. Waltz Outstanding Dissertation Award, explores states’ decisions in developing and abandoning weapon technologies. With extensive postdoctoral experience, her work has been supported by prestigious institutions. Professor Verschuren’s expertise includes international security, military technology development, and the intersection of national security with climate change. Read more about Sanne Verschuren on her faculty profile.