Rhiannon Neilsen

Rhiannon Neilsen

Rhiannon Neilsen, Ph.D

  • Affiliate

Biography

Dr. Neilsen is an Assistant Professor in International Security at Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY). She was the Cyber Security Fellow at CISAC from 2022-2024. Her research focuses on new technologies in conflict (specifically cyber, social media, and AI), mass atrocities, dis/misinformation, and the ethics of war. Her published work has appeared in International Affairs, Terrorism & Political Violence, Ethics & International Affairs, Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, Genocide Studies & Prevention, Lawfare, Just Security, and War on the Rocks. 

Previously, Rhiannon was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University, a Research Consultant for the Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict (ELAC) at the University of Oxford, and a Visiting Fellow at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence.

publications

Journal Articles
August 2023

Cyber Intelligence and Influence: In Defense of “Cyber Manipulation Operations” to Parry Atrocities

Author(s)
cover link Cyber Intelligence and Influence: In Defense of “Cyber Manipulation Operations” to Parry Atrocities
Journal Articles
May 2023

"Honey, I'm Hacked": Ethical Questions Raised by Ukrainian Cyber Deception of Russian Military Wives

Author(s)
cover link "Honey, I'm Hacked": Ethical Questions Raised by Ukrainian Cyber Deception of Russian Military Wives
Journal Articles
March 2023

Revising, or Rejecting, ‘Reasonable Prospect of Success’ in Just Wars? Lessons From Ukraine

Author(s)
cover link Revising, or Rejecting, ‘Reasonable Prospect of Success’ in Just Wars? Lessons From Ukraine

In The News

headshot for Rhiannon Neilsen
Q&As

Fellowship Spotlight: Rhiannon Neilsen

A new feature highlighting the work of CISAC fellows
cover link Fellowship Spotlight: Rhiannon Neilsen
1916 cartoon
Commentary

Revising, or Rejecting, ‘Reasonable Prospect of Success’ in Just Wars? Lessons From Ukraine

“It’s a victory when the weapons fall silent and people speak up.”
cover link Revising, or Rejecting, ‘Reasonable Prospect of Success’ in Just Wars? Lessons From Ukraine
Cybersecurity
Commentary

Coding protection: 'cyber humanitarian interventions' for preventing mass atrocities

Cyberspace has had an unprecedented effect on how society functions, especially as a tool for fomenting division and organizing violence.
cover link Coding protection: 'cyber humanitarian interventions' for preventing mass atrocities