A. Thomas Hughes
Biography
I received my doctorate from Queen's University, where I specialized in International Relations, International Security, and Comparative Politics, and my Master's Degree from the University of Denver. Prior to taking the McKenna Postdoctoral Fellowship, I was the Canadian Defence and Security Network Postdoctoral Fellow, where I worked primarily on Arctic defence policy. My dissertation examined the political effects of military exercises in Europe since 1975, exploring how "threat" is understood, and focusing on the role of openness and transparency in building relationships. My current research and teaching interests are in international security, with particular emphasis on Arctic politics, North American and European defence policy, and confidence-building measures.
Publications
Edited Volumes and Special Issues:
2021. von Hlatky, Stéfanie, Irina Goldenberg, and Thomas Hughes (eds.). "The Many Faces of Diversity in Military Employment." Journal of Military, Veteran, and Family Health 8, Special Issue I.
2018. Leuprecht, Christian, Joel J. Sokolsky, and Thomas Hughes (eds.). North American Strategic Defense in the 21st Century: Security and Sovereignty in an Uncertain World. Switzerland: Springer.
Articles:
2023. Hughes, Thomas. “Managing the Sino-American Rivalry in the Arctic.” In The Ascendancy of Regional Powers in Contemporary US-China Relations, K. Roberts and S. Bano (eds.), 259-278. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
2023. Hughes, Thomas. "Clear Communications and Solid Foundations: The principles of decision-making in Arctic defence." Kingston Conference on International Security, Insights 3, no. 1: 1-8.
2022. Hughes, Thomas. "The European Arctic: Developments in 2022." North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network.
2021. Hughes, Thomas. "Undermining a Measure of Confidence: Examining NATO's response to Soviet and Russian military exercises, 1980-2017." Journal of Transatlantic Studies 19:465-493.
2021. Hughes, Thomas. "The European Arctic: Developments in 2021." North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network. December.
2020. MacDonald, Adam, and Thomas Huges. "Développements Militaires Arctiques en 2020: Trois Tendances Clé." L'Annee Arctique 2020: Revue Annuelle (Observatoire de la Politique et la Sécurité de l'Arctique. December.
2019. MacDonald, Adam and Thomas Hughes. "L'Arctique Face à l'Accélération de la Compétition Stratégique." L'Annee Arctique 2019: Revue Annuelle (Observatoire de la Politique et la Sécurité de l'Arctique. December.
Other Publications:
2023. Hughes Thomas. “A Comment on A Secure and Sovereign Arctic.” North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network. June.
2022. Hughes, Thomas. “Multi-Domain Operations: A Comparative Analysis.” Centre for International and Defence Policy. November.
2022. Hughes, Thomas. “Outrage over the U.S. decision to give Ukraine cluster bombs overlooks facts.” The Conversation.com. July.
2022. Hughes, Thomas. “Canada’s ability to maintain adequate defence in the Arctic requires more than counting equipment.” The Hill Times. May 30, 2022.
2022. Hughes, Thomas. “The Ukraine-Russia standoff is a troubling watershed moment for NATO.” TheConversation.com. February 10, 2022. .
2021. Goldenberg, Irina, Stéfanie von Hlatky, and Thomas Hughes. “Guest Editorial: The Many Faces of Diversity in the Military and the Need for Cultural Change.” Journal of Military, Veteran, and Family Health 8, Special Issue 1 (2021).
2019. Hughes, Thomas. The Art of War Games: Canada and the Political Effect of Military Exercises. Conference of Defence Associations Institute, Vimy Paper. March.
Education
- 2021, PhD - Queen's University
- 2016, MA - Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
- 2009, BA - University of Durham
Teaching
- POLS 3341 - Security Studies
- POLS 3991 - Arctic Politics
Research
My current research and teaching interests are in international security, with particular emphasis on Arctic politics, North American and European defence policy, and confidence-building measures. In the context of my Arctic research I am looking to add to our understanding of deterrence theory and signalling by considering how the Arctic states interpret the threat environment, and the key influences on how their perceive others' actions.
Grants, awards & honours
Queen's University 2021 Social Sciences Outstanding Thesis
2022 Nominee for the the CAGS ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award