Dr Lisa Aronsson
Position: Research Fellow, Transatlantic Studies
Dr Lisa Aronsson joined the Royal United Services Institute as Head of the Transatlantic Programme in October 2008. At RUSI, she is responsible for leading research projects, hosting seminars, arranging conferences and commenting on matters related to US foreign policy and transatlantic cooperation. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the Transatlantic Project at the IDEAS Centre for Strategy and Diplomacy at the London School of Economics and remains active in the academic community.
Prior to joining RUSI, Lisa completed her PhD in International Relations at the London School of Economics, which was supervised by Professor Michael Cox. Her thesis explored International Relations theory and transatlantic cooperation and institution-building in the mid-1990s. She has written on transatlantic security relations, the transformation of NATO, the Kyoto Process and climate change negotiations, the International Criminal Court and systemic change since the end of the Cold War. She is especially interested in the overlap between International History and International Relations and the way in which the two disciplines can complement one another. Lisa taught courses in International Relations and received an LSE Teaching Award in 2007. She also worked for four years as a Programme Assistant and Web Editor at the LSE IDEAS and the Cold War Studies Centre.
Lisa has a PhD in International Relations (2009) and a Masters with Distinction in International History (2003) from the London School of Economics and a BA Magna Cum Laude from Wellesley College (1999).
RUSI articles and analysis by this author
Inauguration Day Priorities for Transatlantic Co-operation
21 Jan 2013
After some disappointment in Obama's first term, there is a moment of optimism for transatlantic relations. Washington and Brussels should capitalise on this moment, and work to ensure closer co-operation in pursuit of their strategic objectives in President Obama's second term.
Asia Policy in Obama's Second Term
7 Nov 2012
To what extent will one of the most important strategic decisions of Obama’s first term – the 'pivot' to Asia – prove an enduring commitment into his second term? (Free access)
Ushering in Change: Secretary Clinton's State Department
28 Sep 2011
As Secretary of State, Clinton has reinvigorated her department and regained a lot of the authority that was lost to the military in the past decade. With the State Department now on a level footing, Clinton is quietly integrating development and human rights into Obama's realist agenda
Obama's UK Speech: A Strategic Challenge for Europe?
27 May 2011
Behind his warm and effusive speech to the great and the good in Parliament, President Obama laid out a subtle but serious challenge to Europe's leaders. Europe, and by extension the UK, will be farther down America's foreign policy priorities unless Europe is willing to step up as a truly global partner.
Putting the Arctic Boom on Ice: Proceedings of RUSI Arctic Roundtable
11 May 2011
On 12 May 2011, foreign ministers from the eight Arctic countries will participate in the seventh summit of the Arctic Council, an organisation initially forged to secure agreed environmental standards for the region. Now, amid growing interest in the opportunities and challenges energy resources and sea lines of communication present, the Council must reform to meet the interests of global demand.
A 21st Century NATO: Obama’s Lisbon Agenda
19 Nov 2010
This NATO Summit is a key opportunity for Obama to define a new agenda that will reset America's relationship with both Europe and the transatlantic community.
Closing Guantanamo: Managing Risk and Global Expectations
20 Jan 2009
Barack Obama will face complex legal and political challenges as he closes Guantanamo Bay. Though his efforts to win international co-operation have already begun to yield some success, the legal ramifications of the situation are likely to dog the administration for years to come.
The Obama Revolution: From Hustings to Reality
5 Nov 2008
The Obama campaign turned American politics upside down. His approach to campaign financing revolutionised the rules of the game, stirred unprecedented interest, and a larger, more informed electorate. Obama has transformed American politics, but will he revolutionise American foreign policy?
Speech summary - NATO’s Twenty-first Century Challenges: the Road Ahead
22 Oct 2008
Speaking at RUSI earlier this week, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General John Cradock outlined how NATO is managing its procedural and strategic challenges. He argued that success is within the alliance’s reach if it can develop a comprehensive, integrated and flexible approach and the necessary political will.