Dr Ian J. Stewart is an expert on export controls, strategic trade, and emerging technology risk, with more than a decade of experience advising governments, international organizations, and private-sector companies on the control and governance of sensitive technologies. His work focuses particularly on advanced semiconductors, dual-use technologies, and research security challenges arising from scientific collaboration and globalized supply chains.
Dr Stewart is currently Executive Director of the Washington, DC office of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) at Middlebury College, where he leads research and engagement on export controls, technology governance, and nonproliferation policy. He previously served as Director of Project Alpha at King’s College London, one of the leading international programs focused on strategic trade controls, where he worked extensively with governments, export control authorities, and industry stakeholders to strengthen national and multilateral export control systems.
Earlier in his career, Dr Stewart worked in the UK Ministry of Defence, including in roles related to nuclear weapons engineering and export licensing assessment. He has substantial experience designing and delivering export control training and exercises for customs, law enforcement, licensing authorities, and policy officials, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the European Union, the U.S. Department of State, and other international partners. His work has supported capacity-building efforts across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Dr Stewart is an electrical and electronic engineer by training, with additional academic qualifications in nuclear engineering and a PhD in War Studies. This technical foundation underpins his advisory work on complex technology control issues, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment, advanced computing systems, and emerging AI-enabled technologies. He regularly advises government agencies and companies on the practical interpretation and implementation of U.S., UK, and allied export control regimes, with a particular focus on semiconductor-related controls, licensing risk, customer due diligence, and supply-chain exposure.
Alongside his academic role, Dr Stewart provides independent advisory support to governments, universities, and private-sector organizations on export control policy, compliance, and research security. His advisory work emphasizes practical implementation, risk-based decision-making, and the integration of export controls into organizational workflows, rather than purely legal or theoretical approaches.
Dr Stewart is a frequent speaker at international conferences and professional forums on export controls, nonproliferation, and emerging technologies, and regularly engages with compliance professionals, policymakers, and technical audiences. He has authored numerous reports and analyses on strategic trade controls and technology governance and is currently completing a book on export controls in an era of strategic competition.
