Benjamin Shultz is a foreign malign influence researcher and practitioner. His work is focused on two primary areas: 1) the efforts of far-right and Russia-affiliated actors to undermine democracy in the U.S. and Europe; and 2) the use of online gaming and virtual reality platforms as recruitment channels by organized crime, far-right, and extremist groups.

Ben has worked with a number of organizations on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Council of Europe, where he maintains an affiliation with the International Cooperation Group on Drugs and Addiction (Pompidou Group) as an Artificial Intelligence Expert. Ben previously worked with Deloitte, where he served as a key member of the firm's Counter-Foreign Malign Influence Team based in Washington, D.C., and as a Disinformation Analyst with DebunkEU, a media literacy organization based in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Ben holds an M.A. in International Relations and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship at Syracuse University, as well as a B.A. with Distinction in Political Science from California State University, Sonoma. He speaks fluent German, beginning French, and is learning Russian. Ben's prior experience spans political campaigning, internships on Capitol Hill, and ice hockey officiating. In his free time, Ben enjoys exploring new countries, mapmaking, and serving as a (very part-time) volunteer severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service.