August 17, 2026
Masako Toki
On July 31, 2026, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) held its annual research presentation event, bringing together the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Fellows and longtime program supporters Tom and Sarah Pattison. A longstanding tradition of the CNS Summer Undergraduate Nonproliferation Fellowship Program. the event provides an opportunity for the fellows to share their summer research with the Pattisons and members of the CNS community, while celebrating their accomplishments during the program.
The afternoon began with an informal luncheon, offering the Pattisons and fellows an opportunity to interact before the research presentations. Opening remarks were delivered by Masako Toki, Senior Project Manager and Research Associate at CNS, followed by welcome remarks from Jeff Dayton-Johnson, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute. CNS Founding Director Dr. William Potter introduced Tom and Sarah Pattison, who offered greetings to the fellows before the presentations began.
Fellows Present Their Summer Research
Each Summer Fellow presented highlights from an independent research project undertaken during the program, sharing research progress, preliminary findings, and future directions.
This year’s projects reflected the breadth and evolving nature of contemporary nonproliferation and disarmament studies. Fellows explored issues ranging from nuclear proliferation and counterproliferation, deterrence, nuclear diplomacy, and nuclear energy regulation to export controls, civil defense, and the role of individual psychology in nuclear decision-making. Their research addressed both historical and contemporary cases across the United States, China, France, Israel, Iran, Japan, and Brazil, as well as broader questions concerning international nuclear governance and multilateral diplomacy.
The presentations also reflected the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the field. Fellows drew on approaches ranging from historical and policy analysis to feminist security studies, psychology, quantitative analysis, and trade data. One collaborative project looked beyond traditional nuclear policy questions to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence and weapons of mass destruction, drawing lessons from the history of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs to explore the potential for dialogue among scientists, policy experts, and the AI community.
Throughout the afternoon, presentations were followed by question-and-answer sessions, giving fellows an opportunity to discuss their findings, respond to questions, and receive feedback from CNS experts and other members of the audience. The exchange highlighted one of the central features of the Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program: providing students not only with an opportunity to conduct substantive independent research, but also to engage directly with specialists in the field and develop their ideas through discussion and mentorship.
To learn more about the 2026 Summer Fellows’ individual research projects and view their presentations, please visit the 2026 Research Presentations page.
Celebrating the 2026 Summer Fellows
The afternoon concluded with a ceremony recognizing the fellows’ accomplishments and the presentation of certificates. CNS Deputy Director Jessica Varnum delivered closing remarks.
The Pattison Event has become a meaningful tradition of the CNS Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program, bringing fellows together with Tom and Sarah Pattison and members of the CNS community to share what they have learned and accomplished during the summer.
The 2026 Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program was generously supported by the Tom and Sarah Pattison Fund, the Middlebury College Office of the Provost, and Soka University of America.
CNS is deeply grateful to Tom and Sarah Pattison and to all those whose support makes it possible to provide undergraduate students with meaningful opportunities to study nuclear nonproliferation and international security, work closely with experts in the field, and develop their own research interests—helping to educate and inspire the next generation of nonproliferation leaders.
Watch the event digest video for highlights from the 2026 Pattison Event! View the video
For more information about the CNS Summer Undergraduate Nonproliferation Fellowship Program, visit the project website!
