Benjamin Manens
Bunker Fellow
Ben Manens is a graduate student in the Security Studies Program. His research with the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy will examine the role of diplomacy in the diffusion of emerging technologies to middle powers. Ben is a double Hoya, having received his B.S.F.S. in International Politics with minors in Chinese and Computer Science at Georgetown. His undergraduate thesis research studied the impact of institutional pathologies in China's military innovation system on the development of Chinese turbofan engines. He has previously worked at the Department of Energy and the Special Competitive Studies Project.
Program: Second year student in the Master of Arts in Security Studies Program. Completed. Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in 2026 as part of accelerated master’s degree
Project: Technological Diplomacy and the Diffusion of Emerging Technologies to Middle Powers
Adviser: Curtis Ried; Director, Google; Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, National Security Council (2022-25)