National Security and the ‘New’ Industrial Policy: Quantum Technology Strategies Compared

Rising defence spending and a turn towards strategic industrial policy have made quantum technologies a key dual-use sector. This PhD compares the UK, the US and Germany to ask why some states turn quantum research leadership into sovereign industrial capacity while others lag, and how state capacity, government–industry coordination, state aid and engineering bottlenecks shape the outcome.

This funded PhD studentship, led by Dr Scott Lavery with Professor Douglas Paul (University of Glasgow), uses a three-country comparative case study. It analyses government strategies and policy documents from 2010 to 2025 and interviews senior figures in government, research councils, industry and defence.

Working with a quantum engineering group, it adds engineering-informed analysis of technology readiness, supply chain dependencies and manufacturing constraints.