Robert Jordan

Rob Jordan is the Director of Proliferation and Nuclear Policy at RUSI, focusing on developments and trends in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the concepts and doctrines that apply to nuclear deterrence, and on wider proliferation, arms control and risk reduction matters related to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

After completing a PhD in microbiology and immunology at the University of Bristol, Rob joined the Ministry of Defence in 2005, initially working on building the UK’s understanding of chemical and biological warfare programmes by state and non-state actors. Subsequent Defence roles included leading intelligence support to a range of operations against the Afghan Taleban and then Islamic State.

In later roles he developed and implemented national strategy and policy to reduce terrorist threats to civil aviation, reduce access to chemical, biological and explosive materials, and to improve legislative, regulatory and operational responses to the threat posed by the criminal use of small drones. More recently he led the reorganisation of Defence Nuclear Organisation’s Warhead Directorate in parallel with the renationalisation of AWE. In his most recent role in Government he led on incorporating intelligence assessment into UKHSA’s understanding of overseas threats to UK public health.

Rob has particular interests in arms control verification, in understanding the interplay between civil and defence applications of research, infrastructure and supply chains, and in understanding how Governments communicate complex risks both internally and to the public.