Fellowships

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Fellow Spotlight:

Michal Boksa

specializes in geopolitics, transnational threats, and NATO’s security policies. He has worked at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO Defense College, and most recently within the NATO Resolute Support Mission to Afghanistan. Additionally, he has worked as a Lecturer at the University of Economics in Prague and as a Research Fellow for the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Czech Association for International Affairs. He received his master’s degree in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge.

We asked Michal a few questions about himself and his fellowship experience.

What are your research interests?

My primary research interests are geopolitics, transnational threats, and NATO’s security policies—combined, they represent the intersection within which I have been trying to develop my academic and professional career. My secondary research interests revolve around digitalization & e-governance, and, to some extent, disinformation.

How did you hear about Pacific Forum, and why did you apply to become a fellow?

The first time I came across the Pacific Forum was roughly five years ago. As far as I remember, I stumbled upon its website by chance while researching transnational threats. I wanted to apply for one of its fellowships ever since. Nevertheless, I only got a chance to finally apply upon the conclusion of NATO’s mission to Afghanistan.

Briefly describe the research project you are undertaking as a Pacific Forum fellow.

Presently, I primarily focus on NATO’s developing strategy and security policies toward China and the Indo-Pacific. Aside from that, I have been involved in projects focused on disinformation, cybersecurity, and non-proliferation.

Describe a Pacific Forum conference you attended and how it helped your career.

I was lucky enough to have a chance to attend one conference on the ‘US-Singapore Digital Economies in the Wake of the Invasion of Ukraine.’ Its focus was very close to my research interests as it combined geopolitics, security, and digitalization. Moreover, it has also helped me gather further data for one article I have been working on.

Share something you read recently that you enjoyed.

The Great Gatsby – I have just finished reading it (encouraged to do so by the movie—not proud of this fact); I found Gatsby’s quixotic dedication quite inspiring, despite how detrimental it eventually turned out to be for him.
(Currently finishing) Q – Unless you like historical novels, you will probably not enjoy this one. Nevertheless, I have been tremendously fascinated not only by its narrative structure but also by the unique process of how the book itself was supposedly written.
(Currently finishing) Flowers for Algernon – I think that this story is quite captivating and deserves even more public recognition than it presently has.

What are your future plans?

Aside from my career and research plans, I would like to write a book, win a poem competition, run a marathon in Rome, trek to Everest Base Camp, and further improve my cooking skills.

What is a fun fact about you?

Research-wise, I am often most productive in the evening and over the night. Sometimes, I feel as if most of my research and writing is actually done between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. I consider this to be a bad habit, but somehow, I have gotten used to it by now. If you urgently need some assistance with finalizing a research proposal or need last-minute help with editing a paper, feel free to call me at 1 a.m.; I am most likely up and working anyway.

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Michal’s recent publications:

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Daniel Mitchum

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Elliot Silverberg

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