B. (Benjamin) Johnson, PhD

Benjamin T. Johnson is an Assistant Professor in Humane Artificial Intelligence and International Relations at the Faculty of Arts, Department of International Relations and International Organization (IRIO), University of Groningen, Netherlands. Benjamin completed his PhD in Political Science at York University (Toronto, Canada) in 2022. Benjamin's research focuses on technology's role in international security and the security-oriented logic shaping technological development. Specifically, his research examines state-led efforts to advance sensing technologies to increase situational awareness, support Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, and defend North America. Benjamin is also advancing research on the relationship between artificial intelligence and international relations, where he is currently developing several projects. Previously, Benjamin worked for the Government of Canada (currently on extended leave) at the Privy Council Office and Infrastructure Canada. He also provides ad hoc services with Suslop Consulting (Toronto).

Curriculum Vitae

Assistant Professor in Humane Artificial Intelligence & International Relations

Department of International Relations and International Organization (IRIO), University of Groningen, Netherlands

EDUCATION

December 2022 - Ph.D., Political Science, Department of Politics, York University, Toronto

Specializations: International Relations theory, Security studies, Canadian politics

Dissertation Title: Sovereignty Through Security? Canada’s Arctic Defence in the Surveillance Age

November 2015 - M.A., Political Economy, Carleton University, Ottawa

October 2011 - B.A., Political Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa

PUBLICATIONS

Journal Articles        

(2021) “Sensing the Arctic: Situational Awareness and the Future of Northern Security.” International Journal, Vol. 76 (3): 404-426. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/002070202110484

(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. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006520

(2018) “Coded Conflict: Algorithmic and Drone Warfare in US Security Strategy.” Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, v. 18, n. 4. 2018. ISSN 1488-559X. Available at: https://jmss.org/article/view/58335/pdf_2 

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. Available at https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/74276/55378

(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. Available at: https://www.mjsdl.com/annualreview/volume17-2

Other Publications

(2022) The Future Arctic.” Canada Watch (pp. 23-24, Spring, 2022). Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, York University. Available at https://www.yorku.ca/research/robarts/wp-content/uploads/sites/466/2022/04/CW-2022.pdf

(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. Available at: https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/munk-hayek-and-the-fraser-institute-insurgent-pedagogies-of-the-canadian-right

(2019) “Rebalancing the Opportunity Equation.” Co-author with the Research and Strategic Development team at the United Way, Greater Toronto (May 6, 2019). Available at: https://www.unitedwaygt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2019_OE_fullreport_FINAL-1.pdf

AWARDS AND FUNDING

2021  - Fulbright Traditional Student Award ($15,000 USD)

2021 - Susan Mann/Provost Scholarship ($23,500)

2019 - Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Initiative Doctoral Award, SSHRC and DND ($80,000)

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

2019 - Ontario Graduate Scholarship (declined due to SSHRC)

2018  - Nathanson Graduate Fellowship, Osgoode Hall Law School ($10,000)

2018 - Mitacs Accelerate Award, Mitacs and United Way of Greater Toronto ($15,000) 

2018  - Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, Annual Student Award of Excellence, 2^nd place ($600)

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

2017 - Knowledge Mobilization Unit/FGS, York University ($11,300)

2016 - York University Graduate Entry Scholarship ($3000)

2016 - Doctoral Fellowship, York University

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

 “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

MEDIA

“Misgoverning the Canadian Arctic.” Excalibur (Oct. 24, 2020). https://www.excal.on.ca/features/2020/10/24/misgoverning-the-canadian-arctic/

 OTHER CREDENTIALS AND TRAINING

2021 - Fundamentals of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) Certificate, First Nations Information Governance Centre

2020 - Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods, Institute of Social Research, York University, Toronto

2020 - Certificate in NVivo Software, Institute of Social Research, York University, Toronto