<< Back to Faculty Philip Potter Professor of Politics and Public Policy; Founding Director of the National Security Policy Center Education & Training Ph.D. Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles M.A., Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles B.A., Honors, Political Science and Economics, McGill University pbp2s@virginia.edu S183 Gibson Hall and NSPC, 134 10th St NW Curriculum Vitae (154.38 KB) Research Website Areas of focus National Security Political Science UVA partners National Security Policy Center Department of Politics Philip Potter is professor of politics and Founding Director of the National Security Policy Center in the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. He is also a University Expert with the National Ground Intelligence Center, US Army INSCOM. Dr. Potter has published two books and articles in a wide array of peer reviewed and popular outlets. He has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Politics and the Journal of Global Security Studies and is an Associate Principal Investigator for Time-Sharing Experiments in the Social Sciences (TESS). Professor Potter has been a fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Related Content Two years into the Ukraine War Event February 6, 2024, 3:30-6:15 pm The Miller Center commemorates the 2nd anniversary of the Russian war in Ukraine in a special two-panel program with UVA experts in foreign policy, defense, and diplomacy. Two years into the Ukraine War: Where are we headed and what have we learned? Session One: Global Inflection Point? Experts reflect on how the war has changed international politics. What was foreseen, and what was not? What might the future hold? Session Two: Leadership Matters The leadership of three presidents—Joe Biden in the United States, Vladimir Putin in Russia, and Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine—has defined the trajectory of the war. What conclusions can we draw about presidential leadership and decision-making in the 21st century? How might a change of leadership in any of the three countries change the trajectory once again? Batten Professors Discuss Escalation of Conflict in Ukraine News Batten School professors Philip Potter and Allan Stam note that the conflict in Ukraine has bolstered the NATO alliance, which may give China pause if it’s thinking of moving on Taiwan. War in Ukraine: A Teach-in with UVA Faculty Event Batten professors Philip Potter and Todd Sechser join a lineup of UVA faculty experts for a teach-in to discuss the context and background of the crisis in Ukraine. Learn More About the Batten School's National Security Policy Center Event Join Batten alum Lettie J. Bien (MPP '19) and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Defense Affairs Committee to learn more about the Batten School's National Security Policy Center with professors George Foresman and Phil Potter. Threat Perception & International Cooperation Event The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation and the National Security Policy Center host a series of discussions with national security experts as the US looks towards a new era of maintaining national security in light of new challenges and emerging threats. Space Norms and U.S. National Security: Leading on Space Debris News In a new article for the online national security magazine War on the Rocks, Batten's Philip Potter, George W. Foresman and University of Pennsylvania's Michael Horowitz write that, given the rapid change of pace and recent developments in space, technical and operational standards and norms of behavior will be necessary to maintain a secure and sustainable domain. China’s Minority Policy Signals a “More Normal Autocracy,” Batten Professor Says News The country’s repressive response to political violence reflects a surge in Chinese nationalism, Batten professor Philip Potter told an online audience during the latest edition of Batten Expert Chats. Honor Among Thieves: Understanding Rhetorical and Material Cooperation Among Violent Nonstate Actors Research We find that when groups share an ideology, and especially a religion, they are more likely to sustain material cooperation in the face of state repression. Batten Expert Chats: "Repression and Political Violence in China" with Philip Potter Event While the changes are horrific from a human rights standpoint, they suggest that China is becoming a much more normal autocracy. In the latest edition of Batten Expert Chats, Phillip Potter, a professor of foreign policy and international relations at the Frank Batten School of Public Policy, will discuss his research into this shift. How and why is the Chinese government changing, and what are the implications both for the country’s Muslim minorities and the globe? Join the conversation on Zoom. View All
Two years into the Ukraine War Event February 6, 2024, 3:30-6:15 pm The Miller Center commemorates the 2nd anniversary of the Russian war in Ukraine in a special two-panel program with UVA experts in foreign policy, defense, and diplomacy. Two years into the Ukraine War: Where are we headed and what have we learned? Session One: Global Inflection Point? Experts reflect on how the war has changed international politics. What was foreseen, and what was not? What might the future hold? Session Two: Leadership Matters The leadership of three presidents—Joe Biden in the United States, Vladimir Putin in Russia, and Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine—has defined the trajectory of the war. What conclusions can we draw about presidential leadership and decision-making in the 21st century? How might a change of leadership in any of the three countries change the trajectory once again?
Batten Professors Discuss Escalation of Conflict in Ukraine News Batten School professors Philip Potter and Allan Stam note that the conflict in Ukraine has bolstered the NATO alliance, which may give China pause if it’s thinking of moving on Taiwan.
War in Ukraine: A Teach-in with UVA Faculty Event Batten professors Philip Potter and Todd Sechser join a lineup of UVA faculty experts for a teach-in to discuss the context and background of the crisis in Ukraine.
Learn More About the Batten School's National Security Policy Center Event Join Batten alum Lettie J. Bien (MPP '19) and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Defense Affairs Committee to learn more about the Batten School's National Security Policy Center with professors George Foresman and Phil Potter.
Threat Perception & International Cooperation Event The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation and the National Security Policy Center host a series of discussions with national security experts as the US looks towards a new era of maintaining national security in light of new challenges and emerging threats.
Space Norms and U.S. National Security: Leading on Space Debris News In a new article for the online national security magazine War on the Rocks, Batten's Philip Potter, George W. Foresman and University of Pennsylvania's Michael Horowitz write that, given the rapid change of pace and recent developments in space, technical and operational standards and norms of behavior will be necessary to maintain a secure and sustainable domain.
China’s Minority Policy Signals a “More Normal Autocracy,” Batten Professor Says News The country’s repressive response to political violence reflects a surge in Chinese nationalism, Batten professor Philip Potter told an online audience during the latest edition of Batten Expert Chats.
Honor Among Thieves: Understanding Rhetorical and Material Cooperation Among Violent Nonstate Actors Research We find that when groups share an ideology, and especially a religion, they are more likely to sustain material cooperation in the face of state repression.
Batten Expert Chats: "Repression and Political Violence in China" with Philip Potter Event While the changes are horrific from a human rights standpoint, they suggest that China is becoming a much more normal autocracy. In the latest edition of Batten Expert Chats, Phillip Potter, a professor of foreign policy and international relations at the Frank Batten School of Public Policy, will discuss his research into this shift. How and why is the Chinese government changing, and what are the implications both for the country’s Muslim minorities and the globe? Join the conversation on Zoom.