Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and Stanford Law School announced today that Tom Dannenbaum (BA ’03) has joined the Stanford faculty as the Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). In addition to his appointment at CISAC, Dannenbaum serves as a professor of law at Stanford Law School, a senior fellow at FSI, and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science.

Dannenbaum’s scholarship draws on a combination of practical and theoretical tools to explore a wide range of topics in international law, including armed conflict, accountability, human rights, and nuclear security. His work addresses topics such as aggressive war, siege and blockade, starvation as a method of warfare, targeting and intent in urban warfare, civilian redress, the duty to end war, and the law governing nuclear installations in conflict zones.

“Stanford provides an unparalleled setting for rigorous, interdisciplinary engagement with the thorniest questions of international law and policy,” Dannenbaum said. “Returning as a faculty member to the university where I began my academic journey makes this opportunity especially rewarding. I am eager to contribute on issues of accountability, rights, and protection in situations of conflict, while grappling with the meaning and function of law in relation to global nuclear risk.”

“Tom’s research represents the best of interdisciplinary scholarship in international law and policy,” said Michael McFaul, director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. “His expertise will enhance collaboration across CISAC, FSI, the law school, and the broader Stanford community, and his commitment to teaching will provide students with unparalleled opportunities to learn from a leader in the field.”

George Triantis, JSD ’89, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean of Stanford Law School, said, “Tom’s work illuminates some of the most complex challenges in international law and global security. His expertise strengthens the productive collaboration between Stanford Law School and the Freeman Spogli Institute, where rigorous scholarship informs practical approaches to issues of war, peace, and accountability. We are delighted to welcome him back to the Stanford community.”

“Tom Dannenbaum will help bring a new generation of lawyers and political theorists into the study of nuclear weapons, arms control, and international agreements,” added CISAC co-director Scott Sagan. “I am thrilled to be co-teaching a new course on Nuclear Strategy, Law, and Politics with him in the Stanford Law School, the Political Science Department, and the Master’s in International Policy (MIP) program.”  

Dannenbaum is the author of The Crime of Aggression, Humanity, and the Soldier (Cambridge University Press 2018), a treatise on the meaning and individual significance of the crime of resorting to war without legal basis. He has published more than 30 articles and book chapters in leading journals, including the American Journal of International Law, European Journal of International Law, Yale Law Journal, and Security Studies. He has testified twice before Congress on the subject of starvation. His work has been cited and relied upon by judicial and other legal authorities and he is a frequent media commentator, appearing in U.S. and international outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Süddeutsche Zeitung, NPR, PBS, MSNBC, ABC, the BBC, and Deutsche Welle, among others. Dannenbaum is a member of the editorial board of Just Security, to which he contributes regularly on contemporary issues in international law.

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dannenbaum received the American Society of International Law’s Lieber Prize in 2017 for his work on the crime of aggression and its International Legal Theory Scholarship Prize in 2022 for his groundbreaking research on siege starvation.

Dannenbaum joined Stanford from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, where he received multiple awards for teaching and research excellence. He has also taught at University College London and Yale Law School.

He earned his Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University, his J.D. from Yale Law School, and his B.A. in public policy and philosophy from Stanford University.

About Stanford Law School

Stanford Law School is one of the world’s leading institutions for legal scholarship and education. Its alumni are among the most influential decision makers in law, politics, business, and high technology. Faculty members argue before the Supreme Court, testify before Congress, produce outstanding legal scholarship and empirical analysis, and contribute regularly to the nation’s press as legal and policy experts. Stanford Law School has established a model for legal education that provides rigorous interdisciplinary training, hands-on experience, global perspective and a focus on public service.

About the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

FSI is Stanford University’s hub for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research, teaching, and policy impact in international affairs. Its mission is to produce world-class scholarship, prepare future leaders, and influence policymaking in pursuit of solutions to the most critical global issues. At FSI, leaders with deep experience in the highest levels of government collaborate with top academic scholars and a vibrant community of students, postdocs and staff. The largest of Stanford’s policy research institutes, FSI is a trusted convener of people and ideas across disciplines, building bridges among academia, government and industry.

About the Center for International Security and Cooperation

Part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, CISAC is Stanford University’s hub for researchers tackling some of the world's most pressing security and international cooperation issues. Founded 40 years ago, CISAC today is building on its historic strengths to seek solutions to the many longstanding and emerging challenges associated with an increasingly complex world. We are guided by our longstanding belief that a commitment to rigorous scholarship, openness to new ideas, and lively intellectual exchange can spur the creation and spread of knowledge to help build a safer world.