Mailing address
124 Mt. Auburn Street Suite 190, Room 106
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox 117
Cambridge, MA, 02138
Ryan Ellis
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program/Project on Technology, Security, and Conflict in the Cyber Age
Contact:
Telephone: 617-495-1318
Email: ryan_ellis@hks.harvard.edu
Experience
Ryan Ellis writes and researches on topics related to cybersecurity, infrastructure politics, homeland security, and communication law and policy. Prior to joining the Belfer Center, Ryan was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) and served as a Project Manager at the University of California's Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC). He holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of California, San Diego.
Wig Zamore STEP Photo
June 13, 2013
"Dangerous Cargo: Action Needed on Hazardous Materials"
Op-Ed, Power & Policy Blog
By Lewis M. Branscomb, Director Emeritus of the Science, Technology and Public Policy Program; Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Corporate Management and Ryan Ellis, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program/Project on Technology, Security, and Conflict in the Cyber Age
"The threat of terrorism complicates matters even further. In April, two men in Canada were arrested for plotting an attack on rail lines near Toronto. In the US, homeland security officials have warned that shipments of hazardous materials are an attractive terrorist target."
March 5, 2013
"Cyber Security"
Media Feature
By Ryan Ellis, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program/Project on Technology, Security, and Conflict in the Cyber Age
Dr. Ellis raises an interesting question: Does the pursuit of offensive cyber capabilities undermine domestic security? The conversation highlights a growing area of concern and ongoing debate.
AP Photo
February 2010
"Rail Transportation of Toxic Inhalation Hazards: Policy Responses to the Safety and Security Externality"
Discussion Paper
By Lewis M. Branscomb, Director Emeritus of the Science, Technology and Public Policy Program; Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Corporate Management, Mark Fagan, Philip Auerswald, Associate, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, Ryan Ellis, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program/Project on Technology, Security, and Conflict in the Cyber Age and Raphael Barcham
Toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) chemicals such as chlorine gas and anhydrous ammonia are among the most dangerous of hazardous materials. Rail transportation of TIH creates risk that is not adequately reflected in the costs, creating a TIH safety and security externality. This paper describes and evaluates policy alternatives that might effectively mitigate the dangers of TIH transportation by rail. After describing the nature of TIH risk and defining the TIH externality, general policy approaches to externalities from other arenas are examined. Potential risk reduction strategies and approaches for each segment of the supply chain are reviewed. The paper concludes by summarizing policy options and assessing some of the most promising means to reduce the risks of transportation of toxic inhalation hazards. Four policy approaches are recommended: internalizing external costs through creation of a fund for liability and claims, improving supply chain operations, enhancing emergency response and focusing regulatory authority. It is further suggested that the Department of Transportation convene a discussion among stakeholder representatives to evaluate policy alternatives.
