Our Team
The Institute for the Study of States of Exception (ISSE) brings together an interdisciplinary community of scholars, legal experts, policy practitioners, technologists, and experienced public servants dedicated to advancing the study of exceptional governance. Our strength lies in combining diverse professional experience with rigorous scholarship, enabling ISSE to bridge academic research, legal analysis, and real-world practice.
ISSE's leadership is organized across four complementary communities. Our Executive & Operations team provides strategic leadership and manages the Institute's day-to-day activities. Our Experts contribute interdisciplinary scholarship and subject-matter expertise across law, political science, philosophy, history, national security, technology, and related fields. Governance provides institutional oversight and strategic guidance through our Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Our Strategic Partners extend ISSE's reach through collaborative research, innovation, and institutional partnerships that advance our shared mission.
“The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the ‘state of exception’ in which we live is not the exception but the rule.”
— Walter Benjamin (Theses on the Philosophy of History, 1940)
Executive & Operations
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Ed Bogan
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; CHAIR, GOVERNING BOARD
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Angela Brown
CHIEF OF STAFF
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Kristen Calvin, Esq.
LEGAL COUNSEL
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Colonel Robert Firman, USAF (ret.)
SENIOR ADVISOR FOR STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS
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Jim Petrila
LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR; SENIOR FELLOW; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Taylor Adams
GLOBAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR
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Avery Kirkpatrick
GLOBAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR; IT/CYBERSECURITY LEAD; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Stephanie Virts
CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Laith El Nasser
STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY, & OPERATIONS; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Matt Calvin
STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY, & OPERATIONS; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Elizabeth Krinock
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Research & Policy Experts
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Ward Blanton
SENIOR FELLOW
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Kristen Calvin, Esq.
LEGAL COUNSEL
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Charles Crabtree
SENIOR FELLOW
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Valeriia Dudiak
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
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Tom Frost
SENIOR FELLOW
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Jennifer Gremmel Hunt, Esq.
LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM MEMBER; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Tormod Johansen
SENIOR FELLOW
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Sam Mace
SENIOR FELLOW
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Chelsea Magnant
SENIOR POLICY FELLOW; SENIOR ADVISOR
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Jim Petrila
LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR; SENIOR FELLOW; ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
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Denis Prieur
SENIOR FELLOW
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Maria Proulx
VISITING RESEARCH FELLOW
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Connor Sebastian
FELLOW
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Paul Shaya
SENIOR FELLOW
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Eileen Swicker
SENIOR FELLOW
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Yuvraj Tuli
FELLOW
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Teddy Ulin
SENIOR LEGAL FELLOW
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Sanna Wilber
FELLOW
Governance & Advisory
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Ed Bogan
CHAIR, GOVERNING BOARD; ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Rich Bell
DEPUTY CHAIR, GOVERNING BOARD
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Tom West
TREASURER, GOVERNING BOARD
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Edward Neafsey
SECRETARY, GOVERNING BOARD
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Matt Calvin
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER: STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY, & OPERATIONS
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Laith El Nasser
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY, & OPERATIONS
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Jennifer Gremmel Hunt
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM MEMBER
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Avery Kirkpatrick
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; GLOBAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR; IT/CYBERSECURITY LEAD
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Elizabeth Krinock
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA
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Chelsea Magnant
SENIOR ADVISOR; SENIOR POLICY FELLOW
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Jim Petrila
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; LEGAL ACTION PROGRAM DIRECTOR; SENIOR FELLOW
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Stephanie Virts
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER; CONTENT & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
ISSE Alumni
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Dana Buralkiyeva
VISITING RESEARCH FELLOW (SUMMER 2026)