Jennifer Spindel
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science

Jennifer Spindel’s research focuses on international security, foreign policy, alliances and civil-military relations, and she is interested in how political actors signal their intentions and beliefs. Her current book project argues that states use arms transfers to send signals about their political alignment, even when the weapon does not affect the balance of power. The book draws on fieldwork she conducted at international weapons exhibitions, as well as documents she collected from U.S. national and presidential archives. Her research has been supported by the Lyndon B. Johnson Foundation, the APSA Political Networks Section and the University of Minnesota. Spindel received her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her dissertation won the 2019 Kenneth Waltz Prize for Best Dissertation in International Security. She also holds an M.A. from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from Colgate University. At UNH, Spindel teaches courses on the U.S. in world affairs, strategy and national security policy, and global issues and topics in international affairs.