Dr. Austin Cooper

Biography

Austin Cooper is an Assistant Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University, specializing in Contemporary International History with a particular focus on nuclear technologies and their political implications. His research is centered on the historical contexts and consequences of nuclear weapon testing, particularly in relation to the French nuclear program and its impact on Cold War dynamics, particularly in African contexts. He is currently engaged in a book project titled 'Saharan Fallout,' which investigates the intersection of French nuclear ambitions and the political landscape of Algeria during the Cold War. Dr. Cooper draws on archival records from multiple countries, exploring how the French nuclear testing program influenced international relations and perceptions of nuclear security within the context of decolonization. His interests extend to international political history, peace and conflict studies, social movements, technical expertise in nuclear policy, and the development of nonproliferation regimes. As a Senior Research Associate at the Center for International Studies at SciencesPo Paris, he contributes to the Nuclear Knowledges program, addressing critical issues related to nuclear decision-making and societal responses to radiation exposure. Prior to his tenure at Purdue, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and held a fellowship at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation. He earned his Ph.D. in the History of Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and is committed to supervising research projects pertaining to nuclear history and international security since 1945.

Research Interests

Courses