Conrad Kunadu

I am a DPhil Candidate in International Relations at Balliol College, University of Oxford. My primary research interest is the intersection of emerging technologies and (inter)national security, with a particular focus on biotechnologies and bioweapons. I am also interested in the governance of nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies; international cooperation and security studies; as well as biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.

My current research examines how emerging technologies shape their own governance, with a particular emphasis on the implications of biotechnological development for the governance of bioweapons. Prior to my postgraduate studies, I worked in operations and project management before completing biosecurity research fellowships. I hold an MPhil in International Relations (with Distinction) and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (First Class) from Trinity College, University of Oxford.

Research Interests

• Emerging technologies
• Biotechnology governance & biological weapons
• Nuclear weapons
• Artificial intelligence
• International cooperation
• Security studies
• Biosecurity & pandemic preparedness

Awards, Fellowships, and Scholarships

• 2025. MPhil Thesis Prize. Awarded for achieving the highest thesis mark in the 2023-2025 MPhil in International Relations cohort.
• 2023 - 2028. Black Academic Futures Scholarship, University of Oxford. Awarded for graduate study in international relations.
• 2023 - 2027. ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership Scholarship, University of Oxford. Awarded for graduate study in international relations.
• 2021. John and Irene Sloan Memorial Prize for PPE Finals, Trinity College. Awarded for best performance by a student of Trinity College in PPE final examinations.
• 2021. Chadwick Exhibition, Trinity College. Exhibition awarded for a continued high standard of academic performance.
• 2021. Douglas Sladen Runner-Up Prize, Trinity College. Runner-up prize for Trinity College's annual Douglas Sladen Prize essay-writing competition.
• 2021. Margaret Howard Prize, Trinity College. Winner of Trinity College's annual Margaret Howard Prize essay-writing competition.
• 2018-2021. Crankstart Scholarship, University of Oxford. Enhanced support for UK residents from lower-income households to undertake undergraduate study at Oxford, made on the basis of academic merit and potential.

Research Experience

• Oct 2025 - Present. Specialist Fellow, Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament, Uppsala University.
• Oct 2023 - May 2024. Biosecurity Research Fellow, Technologies for Pandemic Defense (TPD).
• Jul 2023 - Aug 2023. Biosecurity Research Fellow, Existential Risk Alliance (ERA).

Professional Experience

• Dec 2023 – Jun 2025. Contractor, Open Philanthropy (Part-Time).
• Oct 2023 – Jun 2025. Cofounder and Director of Operations, Oxford Biosecurity Group (Part-Time).
• Apr 2022 – Feb 2023. Special Projects Associate, Longview Philanthropy (Full-Time).
• Sep 2021 – Apr 2022. Operations Associate and Community Manager, Coleap (Full-Time).
• Sep 2019 – Sep 2020. Oxford University Committee Fundraising Officer, Education Partnerships Africa (Part-Time).
• Jul 2019 – Sep 2019. Project Worker, Education Partnerships Africa (Full-Time).