Elliott School Professor Wins Lepgold Prize

Jeffrey Ding, assistant professor of political science and international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, received the Georgetown University Lepgold Prizefor his book, "Technology and the Rise of Great Powers: How Diffusion Shapes Economic Competition."

The prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the study of international relations, with a particular emphasis on resolving critical policy challenges.

The book challenges traditional theories that emphasize the moment of innovation when reflecting on how technological advances impact the rise and fall of great powers. Ding, rather than focusing on which state first introduced major innovations, investigates why some states were more successful than others at adapting and embracing new technologies at scale.

Drawing on case studies of Britain, the United States, Germany and Japan across three industrial revolutions, as well as statistical analysis, he demonstrates how widespread adoption of technology shapes the global distribution of power. His findings also inform debates on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, could influence the U.S.-China power balance.