Delighted to present the lightning talk, “Generative AI and Student Feedback: Reflections from Using TeacherMatic,” at the City St George’s, University of London’s AI Research Day.

Our new article (with Vinicius de Oliveira) in URVIO examines how outer space has become a key arena of China–U.S. competition in Latin America. We show how China uses space diplomacy and tech cooperation to reshape regional power dynamics. revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/urvio/articl...

Recent U.S. military action in Venezuela has revived debate over the “Trump Doctrine.” In a 2023 co-authored chapter, we argued that Trump's foreign policy is driven by instinctual, personality-centric, and ad hoc decision-making. The chapter is available at link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...

In Search of the Elusive Trump Doctrine

For the past two centuries, the U.S. has witnessed the proliferation of numerous foreign policy doctrines that allegedly serve to guide the nation’s international relations. In recent years, the...

link.springer.com

I’m pleased to end the year with the publication of my co-authored chapter (with Vinicius Oliveira), “Brazilian Space Policy in a Period of Renewed International Rivalry.” link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/...

Brazilian Space Policy in a Period of Renewed International Rivalry

The emerging rivalry between the United States and China is the most defining feature of international politics in the foreseeable future. As both great powers seek to safeguard and promote their nati...

link.springer.com

In light of the newly released U.S. National Security Strategy, those seeking to understand the worldview informing this shift may find my co-authored chapter, “America as a Revisionist Power: Trump, ‘America First,’ and International Order,” useful. link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...

America as a Revisionist Power: Trump, “America First,” and International Order

This chapter explores how Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy seeks to revise the liberal international order (LIO), positioning the United States as a revisionist power, p...

link.springer.com

My co-authored paper with Vinicius Gonçalves de Oliveira, titled “Brasil y la Política Espacial de ‘No Alineamiento Activo’”, has just been published in the Universidad Complutense of Madrid’s journal, Geopolítica(s). Revista de Estudios Sobre Espacio y Poder.

It was an honour to host the Congress to Campus event at De Montfort University this year. We had the pleasure of welcoming former U.S. Congressmen Mike Ross (Arkansas) and Jeff Duncan (S. Carolina), who engaged in lively discussions with more than 120 high school students from across the Midlands.

My co-authored chapter, “America as a Revisionist Power: Trump, ‘America First,’ and International Order,” has just been published. We argue that Trump’s "America First" foreign policy positions the U.S. as the primary revisionist power in global politics.

America as a Revisionist Power: Trump, “America First,” and International Order

This chapter explores how Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy seeks to revise the liberal international order (LIO), positioning the United States as a revisionist power, p...

link.springer.com

Over the past few months, Donald Trump has repeatedly shifted his position on the Russo-Ukrainian War. To understande the fluid and transactional nature of his foreign policy see my co-authored chapter “In Search of the Elusive Trump Doctrine” (available at link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...).

In Search of the Elusive Trump Doctrine

For the past two centuries, the U.S. has witnessed the proliferation of numerous foreign policy doctrines that allegedly serve to guide the nation’s international relations. In recent years, the...

link.springer.com

I’m delighted to share that Vinicius Gonçalves de Oliveira and I have just published our article “‘Active Non-Alignment’ in Outer Space: Brazil’s Hedging Strategy in the Sino-American Space” in International Relations.

‘Active non-alignment’ in outer space: Brazil’s hedging strategy in the Sino-American space race - Luis da Vinha, Vinicius Guedes Gonçalves de Oliveira, 2025

The emerging rivalry between the U.S. and China is poised to be the most significant factor shaping international politics in the coming decades. As both great ...

journals.sagepub.com

Presented my paper "Galactic Britain? The UK’s Role in Outer Space Governance" at WCSA’s 12th Intercontinental Conference. It explores how the UK contributes to shaping space rules and norms through diplomacy, regulation, and middlepowermanship.

For a deeper dive into how President Trump and his administration manage foreign policymaking, see our book, Three Approaches to Presidential Foreign Policy-Making in the Twenty-First Century, where we analyze the idiosyncrasies of Trump’s decision-making style and its implications.

Peter Lang Verlag - Three Approaches to Presidential Foreign Policy-Making in the Twenty-First Century

Political scientists have long determined that a president’s relationships with his advisors is crucial in determining an administration’s policies. ...

peterlang.com

Pleased to have collaborated with Josh Sunman (Flinders University) on this policy brief for the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technology

The Peril of Smart Cities for Queer Rights in Africa

John Sunman PhD candidate at Flinders University Dr Luis Da Vinha Lecturer at De Montfort University POLICY PERSPECTIVES #20, March 2025 | DOI The Rise of […]

blogs.flinders.edu.au

It was great to participate in the panel discussion on our upcoming book on Cognitive Geopolitics at the APCP Conference. It was a really engaging discussion—thanks to all who joined and contributed to such a thoughtful exchange!

Three DMU Politics & IR students will represent the university at Model NATO 2025 on 19 February at the Foreign Office Co-organised by @mybisa.bsky.social @FCDOGovuk, the event offers invaluable insights fosters skills,inspiring careers for diplomacy,government,NGOs,the military #BISAFCDOModelNATO

Kicking off the year with some exciting news: my co-authored chapter with Hongyi Liang, “China vis-à-vis the EU: The Competition for Africa’s Smart Cities,” has just been published! A heartfelt thank you to the editors for including our work in The Palgrave Handbook on China-Europe-Africa Relations.

China vis-à-vis the EU: The Competition for Africa’s Smart Cities

Rapid population growth and urbanization have placed considerable pressure on African cities. Urban sprawl, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and criminal activity associated with these p...

link.springer.com

With Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, all eyes are back on American politics. How did his background as a corporate CEO shape his leadership as president in his first term? Find out in my article, "Managing an 'America First' Strategy," in the Portuguese Journal of Political Science.

I’m delighted to have collaborated with Kathryn Robison from the United States Studies Centre (Syndey) on our conference paper, "Perceptions of AUKUS”, presented at this year’s Australian Political Studies Association Conference!

Pleased to have been part of the return of Congress to Campus at DMU! We had the privilege of hosting former Congressional Representatives Cheri Bustos and Bob Dold, who engaged in an inspiring discussion on American politics with our students and the Leicestershire community.

I'm pleased to contribute to the latest issue of the Jeff Bleich Centre's Policy Perspectives, where I delve into the challenges a new Trump presidency could pose to the international order.

“America First 2.0”: Implications for the Liberal International Order and Australia’s Strategic Outlook

“America First 2.0” offers Australia and other liberal democracies an opportunity to take a more active role in reshaping the future international order.

blogs.flinders.edu.au