A faculty member in the Department of International Affairs since 2018, Powers is an expert in the political economy of international cooperation. His research asks fundamental questions about how states make, maintain, and sometimes violate their international commitments. He is particularly interested in how reputations are built in global affairs—how trust is earned or lost, and how perceptions of credibility shape interactions between allies and adversaries. His work offers insights into how reputational dynamics influence the durability of agreements and the likelihood of conflict or cooperation.

In addition to his scholarship, Powers is engaged in addressing the gap between academic research and policymaking. He notes that while scholarly research often takes years to complete, policymakers are typically working on timelines measured in weeks, days or even hours. “One of the challenges we face is figuring out how to deliver rigorous, evidence-based insights in a format and on a timeline that policymakers can actually use,” he says. His work interrogates how scholars can make their findings more accessible and usable for those in decision-making roles—without sacrificing depth or rigor. He also explores the incentives that drive selective uptake or even misinterpretation of research, highlighting the complex political dynamics that shape whether and how research informs real-world policy.

As he steps into the directorship at the Benson-Bertsch Center, Powers is eager to build on the Center’s existing strengths while expanding its scope. “The Center is already a leader in export controls, trade management, and energy security, but we have the capacity to do even more,” he says. “My hope is that we can broaden our impact by engaging more deeply with issues like international conflict, human security, and global cooperation.” He envisions a center that leverages the expertise of faculty across °®ĹľÍřand UGA to become a nationally recognized hub for cutting-edge research, policy engagement, and transformative student experiences.

What sets the Benson-Bertsch Center apart, according to Powers, is its unique approach to working with students. From undergraduates in the Security Leadership Program to graduate students in the Master of International Policy program, students are given the opportunity to work closely with faculty on meaningful, policy-relevant research. “Working with an organization like the Benson-Bertsch Center that produces research products for policy audiences has been an aspiration of mine for a long time,” he said. “Many of the opportunities that we give our students—especially the chance to contribute to real-world projects—are rare outside of doctoral programs. That speaks volumes about the investments UGA and °®ĹľÍřare willing to make in developing the next generation of policy leaders.”

Powers also expressed deep appreciation for the accomplishments of his predecessor, Justin Conrad. “I’m excited to build on the excellent work by Dr. Conrad and his team,” he said. “The Center is already a powerhouse, and I’m honored to have the chance to help shape its next chapter.”

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CITS provides training on strategic trade compliance through a variety of training programs. The Export Control Fellows Program is the most advanced strategic trade compliance training CITS offers. Often, the Fellows in this program already have experience in strategic trade compliance and are planning to implement similar programs in their countries of residence.

During the Export Control Fellows Program, CITS hosted experts from all over the United States, including researchers from universities, the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories, and private industry. The program heavily emphasizes practical applications to industry, so CITS arranged for experts to come from a range of companies, including General Electric (GE), Raytheon, Tesla, and Smyrna-based Mirion Technologies.

Joshua Darnell, the Assistant Director for Training and Outreach, coordinated the program, and explained why CITS is so valuable. “Ultimately, compliance is something that eats into your bottom line, it isn’t a revenue generator, it’s a revenue consumer.  So these government agencies, around the world, have the challenge of convincing companies in their countries to listen to them and work with them.” CITS offers the education and programs to make that challenge easier.

The Export Fellows program is only one of the many training programs CITS offers throughout the year. CITS also hosts a variety of programs both domestically and abroad, including the Security & Strategic Trade Management Academy (SSTMA), the longest-running CITS training program.

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