François Chimits is an Analyst at Merics. His research focuses on the economic development of China, paying special attention to foreign trade and the related level playing field challenges for its trading partners. Before joining MERICS, he worked as a macrofinance analyst at the French Embassy in Beijing. After that he was an economist and deputy head of the trade policy department at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. He was also in charge of a course on Chinese economy at Sciences Po Paris. Chimits received a Bachelor's degree in International Economics and Development and a Master's degree in International Economic Diagnosis and Development from Paris Dauphine University.
Dr Ashley T. Lenihan is a Fellow at LSE’s Centre for International Studies, an Associate at LSE IDEAS, the Head of Policy & Engagement at the British Academy of Management, and a Senior Policy Advisor at the Academy of Social Sciences. Her current research focuses on the relationship between national security and foreign direct investment, and she is the author of Balancing Power without Weapons: State Intervention into Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions. Dr Lenihan was previously an investment-banking analyst at DLJ/Credit Suisse First Boston. She obtained her PhD in Government and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
Dr Jonathan Liebenau is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Technology Management. He specialises in two areas: fundamental concepts of information, and the problems and prospects of information and communication technology in economic development. He has previously worked in academic administration, technology policy, and the economic history of science-based industry, all positions in which he has emphasised the use of information in organisations. He is the author or editor of several books and over 70 other major publications and has provided consultancy services to leading companies and strategic government agencies, including: Dell, BT, IBM, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services, Nortel, EDS, Lloyd Thompson; and in the UK Government, the Office of Science and Innovation, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Home Office. He also has worked with the Royal Society for the Arts and Digital Europe and is on the advisory boards of Istanbul Bilgi University and American University in Cairo, School of Business.
Stephen Paduano is the Executive Director of the LSE Economic Diplomacy Commission and a PhD candidate at the London School of Economics. He researches US and Chinese trade and development policy, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. His work has been published in The Atlantic, The Council on Foreign Relations, The Economist, Foreign Policy, and The Washington Post, among other places. He received an MSc with distinction from the London School of Economics and a BA with honours from Stanford University.
Anthony Vinci, PhD, is an Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Previously, Anthony was a senior intelligence official and served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Associate Director for Capabilities at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Anthony received his Ph.D. in International Relations from The London School of Economics and studied Philosophy at Reed College and the University of Oxford. Anthony is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and Business Executives for National Security (BENS).
Peter Watkins is a Visiting Senior Fellow, LSE IDEAS; a Visiting Professor, King's College London; an Associate Fellow, Chatham House; and a Non-Resident Fellow with the Atlantic Council. He was formerly the Director General Strategy & International (2017-18) and Director General Security Policy (2014-17) in the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). In these roles, he was responsible for strategic policy & planning; the Defence dimension of the UK's cross-government response to Russia; defence relations with NATO, the EU and with key bilateral allies; and defence policy aspects of cyber, space and novel technologies. Previous roles included Director General of the Defence Academy (2011-14) and Director of Operational Policy (2008-11). He was a Visiting Fellow, Harvard University (2006-07).