Building an Economic Security Workforce Through Academia

The United States is currently engaged in a new form of global competition that revolves around supply chains, technology, and sanctions. However, the nation lacks a sufficiently trained workforce to effectively manage these economic security challenges. The interconnectedness of global markets necessitates professionals who can critically assess and respond to economic threats, yet the current workforce pipeline is inadequate. Many individuals working in this area have limited formal education and training, often operating on the fringes without clear strategies or resources. To maintain its global leadership, the U.S. must establish a robust economic security workforce by creating a new academic discipline focused on this critical area.

Emerging fields like cybersecurity and biotechnology have successfully developed into recognized professions, but academia has been slow to follow suit with economic statecraft. This new discipline would require interdisciplinary collaboration across public and private sectors, embedding economic security into university curricula, and fostering closer ties between scholars and practitioners. Economic security encompasses a wide range of subjects, including economics, foreign affairs, security studies, finance, and technology, making it challenging to categorize and promote.

Academia plays a vital role in shaping the future workforce through structured education and professional development. However, existing academic disciplines are often siloed, and few universities offer integrated programs that address the complexities of economic security. A well-defined discipline would provide a framework for teaching, research, and professionalization, allowing for the development of a workforce capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of economic statecraft.

For instance, the fields of supply chain, finance, and technology are interconnected in ways that require a comprehensive understanding of various disciplines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, decision-makers had to quickly assess vulnerabilities in global supply chains for medical equipment, highlighting the need for expertise that spans economics, logistics, public health, and international relations. Similarly, protecting the financial system from cyberattacks necessitates knowledge of finance, cybersecurity, and international law, as demonstrated by the 2016 cyber heist involving Bangladesh’s central bank.

Policymakers must also navigate the balance between national security interests and technological innovation, as seen in the U.S. Department of Commerce's export controls on advanced chips bound for China. This complex landscape underscores the necessity for professionals who can integrate knowledge from various fields to address economic security challenges effectively.

Despite the clear need for economic security expertise, this subject is not explicitly taught in educational institutions, creating a knowledge gap that hinders effective risk mitigation. Closing this gap requires a collaborative effort between business leaders and policymakers, who must work together to address economic security as a shared responsibility.

Historically, new disciplines have emerged in response to changing global landscapes, as seen with cybersecurity and biotechnology. As threats evolve, so too must academic programs, adapting to meet new demands and preparing graduates for the workforce. For example, the establishment of cybersecurity programs in universities has produced a new generation of professionals equipped to tackle both technical and strategic challenges.

Similarly, the semiconductor industry illustrates how policy challenges shape academic programs. The recent global chip shortages and U.S. government efforts to control advanced semiconductor technology exports highlight the need for an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge of geopolitics and economics. The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 incentivizes universities to develop semiconductor programs that integrate engineering with business and policy education.

While these examples demonstrate the potential for academic evolution, the current lack of a defined economic security discipline presents a strategic gap for the United States. To address this, universities must adapt their degree programs to meet the demands of this emerging field, delivering the cross-disciplinary expertise necessary to tackle evolving threats.

Creating a new academic discipline is a complex endeavor, as existing academic incentives often do not align with the development of economic security. Academics typically focus on publishing research and advancing knowledge within established fields, which economic security currently lacks. Universities operate as businesses, attracting talent and funding based on the strength of their programs, which can hinder the establishment of new disciplines.

To foster the growth of economic security as an academic field, three main recommendations emerge. First, interdisciplinary teams across public and private sectors should be rewarded for their collaboration. Second, universities must integrate economic security into their curricula, ensuring that students are exposed to the complexities of this field. Finally, practitioners should be involved in teaching, providing real-world insights that ground academic theory in practice. By taking these steps, the United States can begin to build a workforce equipped to navigate the challenges of economic security in an increasingly interconnected world.