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Alex Bruens

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Alex Bruens

Alex Bruens

  • Research Fellow

Additional Information

Bio

Alex Bruens is a research fellow at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They earned their Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Arizona in 2024. Their Ph.D. research examines civil wars, non-governmental and multilateral organizations, human rights, and peacekeeping and development after civil wars. During their Ph.D., they were a research manager at the Research on International Policy Implementation Lab (RIPIL) at American University.

Bruens' expertise is in civil conflicts, rebel groups, violence against civilians, and international organizations. They use quantitative methods to address research puzzles on these topics and additionally have training in qualitative methods.

Bruens has taught courses on international relations and civil wars at the undergraduate level. They have presented works at academic conferences including the Peace Science Society (International), International Studies Association, and Political Economy of International Organization. They hold two bachelor’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Bruens uses they/them pronouns.

Research Interests

Civil wars, political violence and contentious politics, violent non-state actors, and international organization

Education

B.A. Sociology, B.A. Political Science; Florida Atlantic University

M.A. Government and Public Policy; University of Arizona

Ph.D. International Relations; University of Arizona

Additional Information

Bio

Alex Bruens is a research fellow at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They earned their Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Arizona in 2024. Their Ph.D. research examines civil wars, non-governmental and multilateral organizations, human rights, and peacekeeping and development after civil wars. During their Ph.D., they were a research manager at the Research on International Policy Implementation Lab (RIPIL) at American University.

Bruens' expertise is in civil conflicts, rebel groups, violence against civilians, and international organizations. They use quantitative methods to address research puzzles on these topics and additionally have training in qualitative methods.

Bruens has taught courses on international relations and civil wars at the undergraduate level. They have presented works at academic conferences including the Peace Science Society (International), International Studies Association, and Political Economy of International Organization. They hold two bachelor’s degrees from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Bruens uses they/them pronouns.

Research Interests

Civil wars, political violence and contentious politics, violent non-state actors, and international organization

Education

B.A. Sociology, B.A. Political Science; Florida Atlantic University

M.A. Government and Public Policy; University of Arizona

Ph.D. International Relations; University of Arizona

Additional Information

Bio Research Interests Education

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