Texas A&M University

Graduate Assistant Researcher

Conduct original political science research and course requirements for PhD in Political Science. Completed methods intensive curriculum including courses on game theory, time series, data mining, maximum likelihood, network analysis, research design, and factor analysis.

Taught undergraduate courses on international conflict and American foreign policy. Taught State and Local Government in Doha, Qatar at Texas A&M University Qatar.

Received multiple awards including Excellence in Teaching (twice), TAMU Qatar Dissertation Writing Fellowship, College of Liberal Arts Fellow (declined), Research Fellow at National Defense University among other awards.

Mississippie State University

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Benjamin worked at Mississippie State University as a Assistant Professor of Political Science

Jane's Information Group

Researcher

Analyzed bilateral nuclear agreements focusing on the following: dual use technology, regional implication, U.S. national law, and proliferation threats

Provided analysis on project types including threat assessment, technology evolution, market forecasting/analysis, competitive assessment, and country specific policy analysis

Result: Developed multiple projects with quantitative market analysis for client presentations

King University

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Benjamin worked at King University as a Assistant Professor of Political Science

Center for Conflict and Development

Postdoctoral Fellow

Collaborate with other USAID Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN) institutions to develop innovate technologies, approaches and methodologies to establish empirical, data driven solutions to post-conflict countries most pressing issues.

Establish, advise and consult on country and region working groups that incorporate international partners into research projects focus on food security, youth outreach, and political development.

Conduct institutional assessments of international partners in target countries and coordinate research efforts at the various institutes.

Engage graduate students through collaborate research, classroom involvement and outreach programs to foster interest and expertise in conflict and development.

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

Joint Special Operations University Press

The objectives of this study are: (a) to assess the processes and policies of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for purchasing technology and services from the private sector, and (b) to evaluate possible enhancements, alternative processes, and policies. Primary responsibility for purchasing technology and related services currently lies with Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), whose mission is to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with the best equipment and services available in a timely, cost-effective manner. In this role, SOF AT&L is responsible not only for the acquisition of advanced SOF-peculiar technologies for use in operational environments, but also for contracting the entire range of support services required for USSOCOM to operate effectively, from base maintenance to managerial support. Policymakers and strategists recognize that staffing and funding of SOF have not kept pace in recent years with the increased demand for their services. In a fiscally tight environment, USSOCOM thus faces heightened challenges in ensuring that private sector engagement is wisely maximized so that SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission, focus on hybrid threats and how to win in complex environments.

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

Joint Special Operations University Press

The objectives of this study are: (a) to assess the processes and policies of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for purchasing technology and services from the private sector, and (b) to evaluate possible enhancements, alternative processes, and policies. Primary responsibility for purchasing technology and related services currently lies with Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), whose mission is to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with the best equipment and services available in a timely, cost-effective manner. In this role, SOF AT&L is responsible not only for the acquisition of advanced SOF-peculiar technologies for use in operational environments, but also for contracting the entire range of support services required for USSOCOM to operate effectively, from base maintenance to managerial support. Policymakers and strategists recognize that staffing and funding of SOF have not kept pace in recent years with the increased demand for their services. In a fiscally tight environment, USSOCOM thus faces heightened challenges in ensuring that private sector engagement is wisely maximized so that SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission, focus on hybrid threats and how to win in complex environments.

The Effects of School-Related Gender Based-Violence on Academic Performance: Evidence from Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa

United States Agency for International Development

The Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Education Division (AFR/SD/ED) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commissioned the Strategic Analytics Lab of the Center on Conflict and Development (ConDev) at Texas A&M University under the Opportunities for Achievement and Safety in Schools (OASIS) program to empirically assess the effect of bullying on student academic achievement. ConDev is a multidisciplinary center sponsored by USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN).

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

Joint Special Operations University Press

The objectives of this study are: (a) to assess the processes and policies of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for purchasing technology and services from the private sector, and (b) to evaluate possible enhancements, alternative processes, and policies. Primary responsibility for purchasing technology and related services currently lies with Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), whose mission is to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with the best equipment and services available in a timely, cost-effective manner. In this role, SOF AT&L is responsible not only for the acquisition of advanced SOF-peculiar technologies for use in operational environments, but also for contracting the entire range of support services required for USSOCOM to operate effectively, from base maintenance to managerial support. Policymakers and strategists recognize that staffing and funding of SOF have not kept pace in recent years with the increased demand for their services. In a fiscally tight environment, USSOCOM thus faces heightened challenges in ensuring that private sector engagement is wisely maximized so that SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission, focus on hybrid threats and how to win in complex environments.

The Effects of School-Related Gender Based-Violence on Academic Performance: Evidence from Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa

United States Agency for International Development

The Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Education Division (AFR/SD/ED) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commissioned the Strategic Analytics Lab of the Center on Conflict and Development (ConDev) at Texas A&M University under the Opportunities for Achievement and Safety in Schools (OASIS) program to empirically assess the effect of bullying on student academic achievement. ConDev is a multidisciplinary center sponsored by USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN).

Private Military and Security Companies, Contract Structure, Market Competition, and Violence in Iraq

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Conflict environments exacerbate an incentive dilemma between employers and private military and security companies (PMSCs). PMSCs seek to maximize profits, but employers seek to minimize expenses and maximize services. We argue a PMSC are influenced by two complementary economic factors: contract structure and intra-sector competition. Contract structures are set by employers and establish compensation constraints and intra-sector identifies potential replacements, both impact service delivery. We find that PMSCs with contract structures that lack performance incentives, even in the presence of competition, increase the likelihood of violence In Iraq. PMSCs that lacked intra-sector competition had a similar but smaller effect.

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

Joint Special Operations University Press

The objectives of this study are: (a) to assess the processes and policies of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for purchasing technology and services from the private sector, and (b) to evaluate possible enhancements, alternative processes, and policies. Primary responsibility for purchasing technology and related services currently lies with Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), whose mission is to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with the best equipment and services available in a timely, cost-effective manner. In this role, SOF AT&L is responsible not only for the acquisition of advanced SOF-peculiar technologies for use in operational environments, but also for contracting the entire range of support services required for USSOCOM to operate effectively, from base maintenance to managerial support. Policymakers and strategists recognize that staffing and funding of SOF have not kept pace in recent years with the increased demand for their services. In a fiscally tight environment, USSOCOM thus faces heightened challenges in ensuring that private sector engagement is wisely maximized so that SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission, focus on hybrid threats and how to win in complex environments.

The Effects of School-Related Gender Based-Violence on Academic Performance: Evidence from Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa

United States Agency for International Development

The Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Education Division (AFR/SD/ED) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commissioned the Strategic Analytics Lab of the Center on Conflict and Development (ConDev) at Texas A&M University under the Opportunities for Achievement and Safety in Schools (OASIS) program to empirically assess the effect of bullying on student academic achievement. ConDev is a multidisciplinary center sponsored by USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN).

Private Military and Security Companies, Contract Structure, Market Competition, and Violence in Iraq

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Conflict environments exacerbate an incentive dilemma between employers and private military and security companies (PMSCs). PMSCs seek to maximize profits, but employers seek to minimize expenses and maximize services. We argue a PMSC are influenced by two complementary economic factors: contract structure and intra-sector competition. Contract structures are set by employers and establish compensation constraints and intra-sector identifies potential replacements, both impact service delivery. We find that PMSCs with contract structures that lack performance incentives, even in the presence of competition, increase the likelihood of violence In Iraq. PMSCs that lacked intra-sector competition had a similar but smaller effect.

Mobile (In)security? Exploring the Realities of Mobile Phone Use in Con ict Areas

Information, Communication, and Society,

Almost Nuclear: Introducing the Nuclear Latency Dataset

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

Joint Special Operations University Press

The objectives of this study are: (a) to assess the processes and policies of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for purchasing technology and services from the private sector, and (b) to evaluate possible enhancements, alternative processes, and policies. Primary responsibility for purchasing technology and related services currently lies with Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), whose mission is to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with the best equipment and services available in a timely, cost-effective manner. In this role, SOF AT&L is responsible not only for the acquisition of advanced SOF-peculiar technologies for use in operational environments, but also for contracting the entire range of support services required for USSOCOM to operate effectively, from base maintenance to managerial support. Policymakers and strategists recognize that staffing and funding of SOF have not kept pace in recent years with the increased demand for their services. In a fiscally tight environment, USSOCOM thus faces heightened challenges in ensuring that private sector engagement is wisely maximized so that SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission, focus on hybrid threats and how to win in complex environments.

The Effects of School-Related Gender Based-Violence on Academic Performance: Evidence from Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa

United States Agency for International Development

The Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Education Division (AFR/SD/ED) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commissioned the Strategic Analytics Lab of the Center on Conflict and Development (ConDev) at Texas A&M University under the Opportunities for Achievement and Safety in Schools (OASIS) program to empirically assess the effect of bullying on student academic achievement. ConDev is a multidisciplinary center sponsored by USAID’s Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN).

Private Military and Security Companies, Contract Structure, Market Competition, and Violence in Iraq

Conflict Management and Peace Science

Conflict environments exacerbate an incentive dilemma between employers and private military and security companies (PMSCs). PMSCs seek to maximize profits, but employers seek to minimize expenses and maximize services. We argue a PMSC are influenced by two complementary economic factors: contract structure and intra-sector competition. Contract structures are set by employers and establish compensation constraints and intra-sector identifies potential replacements, both impact service delivery. We find that PMSCs with contract structures that lack performance incentives, even in the presence of competition, increase the likelihood of violence In Iraq. PMSCs that lacked intra-sector competition had a similar but smaller effect.

Mobile (In)security? Exploring the Realities of Mobile Phone Use in Con ict Areas

Information, Communication, and Society,

Deterring or Mobilizing? The Influence of Government Partanship and Force on the Frequency, Lethality and Suicide Attacks of Terror Attacks

Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy

deterrence, terrorism, Israeli- Palestine conflict