Dr. Caitlin Talmadge

Associate Professor

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Biography

Caitlin Talmadge is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, contributing as a faculty member to the Security Studies Program and affiliated with the Center for Nuclear Security Policy. She is also a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution and served on the Defense Policy Board for the United States Department of Defense. Talmadge is known for her expertise in nuclear deterrence, escalation strategies, military operations, and security issues in Asia and the Persian Gulf. Her notable works include the book 'Dictator’s Army: Battlefield Effectiveness of Authoritarian Regimes' published by Cornell University Press in 2015, which was recognized as a top book in Security by Foreign Affairs in 2016 and won the 2017 Book Award from the International Security Studies Section of the International Studies Association. She has co-authored 'Defense Politics: Origins of Security Policy,' and is currently collaborating on a book about nuclear escalation risks with Professor Brendan Green. Her research has been published in prestigious journals and she has offered commentary for various prominent media outlets. Talmadge holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD in political science from MIT.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Teaches and conducts research in political science, focusing on security studies and international relations.

Researcher

— Present

Center for Strategic and International Studies •

Conducted research on defense and security policy.

Consultant

— Present

Office of Net Assessment, Department of Defense •

Provided policy analysis and recommendations for defense strategies.

Professor

— Present

George Washington University •

Taught courses in political science and conducted research in defense politics.

Professor

— Present

Georgetown University •

Educated students in political science with a focus on international relations.