FAQ - Emerging Experts program
This FAQ (frequently asked questions) is primarily designed for individuals considering joining the Emerging Expert program of the Forum on the Arms Trade (English-language program).
We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 English-language program - apply by July 3
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Emerging Experts program?
The Forum's Emerging Experts English-language program is open to individuals who have expressed an interest in addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Emerging experts generally will be pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, or will already be employed in the field but at an early stage in their career. They may be located anywhere in the world (with a goal of about one third being based in Washington, DC). The Forum actively seeks diversity in the Emerging Experts program, and is keen to identify individuals in regions highly impacted by the arms trade (including the Middle East).
What are emerging experts expected to do as part of the Forum?
Being listed as an emerging expert is meant to help strengthen our community, especially for individuals interested in creating or advancing a career in our field. We plan to have a regular monthly meeting to which all emerging experts are expected to attend. That meeting is currently planned for the third Thursday of every month at 10AM Eastern time.
Many of these monthly meetings will be professional development events in which emerging experts will have personal opportunities to engage with leaders and/or skills trainings, typically led by a Forum expert or another emerging expert and based on interests identified by program participants. (An indicative six-month calendar for the 2020 cohort is here, and full year calendars for the 2021-2022 cohort is here, 2022-2023 is here, 2023-2024 is here, and 2024-2025 is here.) In some cases, these may occur outside the regular schedule, depending on the availability of experts/trainers.
Program participants should also plan for at least one more hour each month to engage with the Forum community (see next paragraph). IF you know you cannot commit to the monthly meeting and another hour per month, please do not apply.
In the 2021-2022 cohort, a Steering Committee for the program self-organized and has since continued. So too have issue-based and/or skill-based interest groups that have, for example, identified training opportunities or collaborated on writing. Many members of the 2022-2025 cohorts joined in self-scheduled monthly one-on-one virtual "speed friending" meetings where they learned about each other's interests and efforts. Previous cohorts have also developed opinion polls (see April 2024, December 2023, April 2023, February 2023, and November 2021.) Participation in any of these, should they form again, is encouraged but not required.
Required, however, is for each program participant to self-identify and commit to do something that would contribute both to their career and the community. These could be just about anything: publishing an article (possibly together with another program participant); helping co-organize an event; presenting their work at a meeting (either an internal meeting or public one); helping direct the program in some way (perhaps by joining the Steering Committee or interest group... see paragraph above). This commitment is meant to be self-defined and relevant to each person-- and is an intentional component of the program.
What should emerging experts expect to gain by being listed by the Forum?
In many ways, the Emerging Experts program is meant to meet the needs of its participants, with opportunities offered and program elements scheduled based on expressed interests.
Emerging experts are listed on a program web page providing a visible home for public identification. Relevant publications they (co)author are often shared via social media and our "This Week in Arms Trade Publications" newsletter. Emerging experts are also encouraged to participate in the Looking Ahead blog and are added to a private listserv for the Forum's experts, providing an entry point to learning about topics and engaging on them.
Emerging experts will also have the opportunity to participate in a mini-mentorship program, should they be interested.
At the largest level, core to the program is the "network" itself. The Emerging Expert cohort and the broader Forum network provides a way to connect with other professionals in the community and aims to open doors for conversations, exchanges, and formation of relationships with experts at various stages of their careers.
Do emerging experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on any Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
What is the best way to apply?
Applying to be considered for the program is relatively easy. Interested individuals should send an email as described below:
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's Emerging Experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project currently managed by Jeff Abramson, who takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the Emerging Experts list. Since 2021, a small number of current and former emerging experts aided in review and decision-making, and we expect that to happen again in 2025.
How long does the program last?
The intention is for each cohort of emerging experts to be together for about a year, with an annual re-opening and application round taking place in approximately May or June each calendar year to add new individuals to the program that starts in late July. As a cohort year is nearing completion, emerging experts are asked if they have a preference for exiting the program, remaining in it, or being considered for invitation to be listed as an expert (see FAQ). Emerging experts may choose to leave the program or they may be invited to be a Forum-listed expert as their careers advance -- thereby exited the program outside of this cycle. In general, we do not recommend staying in the program more than two years.
Any interested emerging expert may ask to be considered for possible invitation to the Forum's expert list. Recommendations of other experts, especially supervisors/mentors where applicable, as well as a demonstrated track record of independent writing and/or media references are key considerations by the committee in such invitations. While we certainly hope the Emerging Experts program will advance the expertise and career of its participants, all individuals are assessed on their own merits (again, see FAQ).
Who supports the program?
The Forum work is further supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, without which this program would not be possible.
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
[email protected]
(202) 780-6215
We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 English-language program - apply by July 3
- June 5, 2025 - Applications period opens
- June 17, 2025 - Information session (optional, 10 AM EDT), RSVP here.
- July 3, 2025 - Application deadline (11:59PM EDT)
What kinds of expertise are needed to be included in the Emerging Experts program?
The Forum's Emerging Experts English-language program is open to individuals who have expressed an interest in addressing the humanitarian, economic and other implications of arms transfers, security assistance, and weapons use. Emerging experts generally will be pursuing a master's or doctorate degree, or will already be employed in the field but at an early stage in their career. They may be located anywhere in the world (with a goal of about one third being based in Washington, DC). The Forum actively seeks diversity in the Emerging Experts program, and is keen to identify individuals in regions highly impacted by the arms trade (including the Middle East).
What are emerging experts expected to do as part of the Forum?
Being listed as an emerging expert is meant to help strengthen our community, especially for individuals interested in creating or advancing a career in our field. We plan to have a regular monthly meeting to which all emerging experts are expected to attend. That meeting is currently planned for the third Thursday of every month at 10AM Eastern time.
Many of these monthly meetings will be professional development events in which emerging experts will have personal opportunities to engage with leaders and/or skills trainings, typically led by a Forum expert or another emerging expert and based on interests identified by program participants. (An indicative six-month calendar for the 2020 cohort is here, and full year calendars for the 2021-2022 cohort is here, 2022-2023 is here, 2023-2024 is here, and 2024-2025 is here.) In some cases, these may occur outside the regular schedule, depending on the availability of experts/trainers.
Program participants should also plan for at least one more hour each month to engage with the Forum community (see next paragraph). IF you know you cannot commit to the monthly meeting and another hour per month, please do not apply.
In the 2021-2022 cohort, a Steering Committee for the program self-organized and has since continued. So too have issue-based and/or skill-based interest groups that have, for example, identified training opportunities or collaborated on writing. Many members of the 2022-2025 cohorts joined in self-scheduled monthly one-on-one virtual "speed friending" meetings where they learned about each other's interests and efforts. Previous cohorts have also developed opinion polls (see April 2024, December 2023, April 2023, February 2023, and November 2021.) Participation in any of these, should they form again, is encouraged but not required.
Required, however, is for each program participant to self-identify and commit to do something that would contribute both to their career and the community. These could be just about anything: publishing an article (possibly together with another program participant); helping co-organize an event; presenting their work at a meeting (either an internal meeting or public one); helping direct the program in some way (perhaps by joining the Steering Committee or interest group... see paragraph above). This commitment is meant to be self-defined and relevant to each person-- and is an intentional component of the program.
What should emerging experts expect to gain by being listed by the Forum?
In many ways, the Emerging Experts program is meant to meet the needs of its participants, with opportunities offered and program elements scheduled based on expressed interests.
Emerging experts are listed on a program web page providing a visible home for public identification. Relevant publications they (co)author are often shared via social media and our "This Week in Arms Trade Publications" newsletter. Emerging experts are also encouraged to participate in the Looking Ahead blog and are added to a private listserv for the Forum's experts, providing an entry point to learning about topics and engaging on them.
Emerging experts will also have the opportunity to participate in a mini-mentorship program, should they be interested.
At the largest level, core to the program is the "network" itself. The Emerging Expert cohort and the broader Forum network provides a way to connect with other professionals in the community and aims to open doors for conversations, exchanges, and formation of relationships with experts at various stages of their careers.
Do emerging experts have to agree with each other?
Inclusion on any Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only.
What is the best way to apply?
Applying to be considered for the program is relatively easy. Interested individuals should send an email as described below:
- Statement of Interest - In 300 words or fewer, describe your interest in one or more topics dealt with by the Forum and your reason(s) for seeking to join the Emerging Expert program.
- Bio - Send a picture and your name, title (or school), twitter or other social media accounts (if any), professional contact information that can be publicly listed (email, phone--if relevant), and a very brief (40 word max) bio that could be added to the Emerging Expert page on the Forum's website.
How are decisions made on who is included in the Forum's Emerging Experts list?
The Forum on the Arms Trade is a cooperative project currently managed by Jeff Abramson, who takes responsibility for decisions on who to include on the Emerging Experts list. Since 2021, a small number of current and former emerging experts aided in review and decision-making, and we expect that to happen again in 2025.
How long does the program last?
The intention is for each cohort of emerging experts to be together for about a year, with an annual re-opening and application round taking place in approximately May or June each calendar year to add new individuals to the program that starts in late July. As a cohort year is nearing completion, emerging experts are asked if they have a preference for exiting the program, remaining in it, or being considered for invitation to be listed as an expert (see FAQ). Emerging experts may choose to leave the program or they may be invited to be a Forum-listed expert as their careers advance -- thereby exited the program outside of this cycle. In general, we do not recommend staying in the program more than two years.
Any interested emerging expert may ask to be considered for possible invitation to the Forum's expert list. Recommendations of other experts, especially supervisors/mentors where applicable, as well as a demonstrated track record of independent writing and/or media references are key considerations by the committee in such invitations. While we certainly hope the Emerging Experts program will advance the expertise and career of its participants, all individuals are assessed on their own merits (again, see FAQ).
Who supports the program?
The Forum work is further supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, without which this program would not be possible.
More questions?
Please contact:
Forum on the Arms Trade
[email protected]
(202) 780-6215