Meet our diverse roster of international experts, thought leaders, and practitioners. Discover the unique insights and experiences each guest brings to our discussions on global risk, security, and geopolitics.
Mikatekiso Kubayi is a distinguished voice from South Africa and a renowned thinker on global power dynamics. Mr. Kubayi wears many hats: researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD) associated with UNISA, fellow at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), and a PhD candidate at…
Stefan Wolff is Professor of International Security and Head of Department, Political Science and International Studies, at the University of Birmingham. A political scientist by background, he specialises in the management of contemporary security challenges, especially in the prevention and settlement of ethnic conflicts, in post-conflict state-building in deeply divided and war-torn societies, and in contemporary…
Alexandra Ba-Tin is a doctoral candidate at the University of Edinburgh, where she researches the intersection of hybrid threats and space-based assets in national security strategies. Her unique perspective combines academic expertise with hands-on experience in the defence and security sector, where she specialized in business analysis, data ethics, and privacy protection. As a War…
Barbara Kelemen studied in China (Peking University) and London (LSE), earning a double degree in International History. She has specialized in international security and relations, focusing primarily on China and its relations with the Middle East. After graduating, Barbara joined MERICS but then decided to join the private intelligence sector where she has now been…
Julia Ebner is an Austrian researcher, author, and leading expert in extremism and radicalisation studies, based in London and Oxford. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, she developed an early interest in extremism during her academic career. Her educational background is extensive and international, completing her undergraduate studies with both a BA in Philosophy and…
Lara Kristjánsdóttir is an analyst at 2Secure, specialising in strategic advisory and international risk management. With a background in security studies and crisis management, Lara provides organisations with strategic guidance to develop and refine robust risk management structures. Through Lara’s expertise, she helps clients effectively identify, analyse, and mitigate risks, empowering them to pursue growth…
Sander van der Linden, Ph.D., is Professor of Social Psychology in Society and Director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. He has won numerous awards for his research on human judgment, communication, and decision-making, including the Rising Star Award from the Association for Psychological Science…
Jacob Ware is a distinguished expert in contemporary extremist movements and domestic terrorism, currently serving as a Research Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. His work focuses on the critical intersection of far-right extremism, digital radicalisation, and national security, providing crucial insights into emerging threats to democratic institutions. As an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown…
Bruce Hoffman is one of the world’s foremost authorities on terrorism and counterterrorism strategy, bringing nearly five decades of expertise to the analysis of extremist movements. As a Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security at the Council on Foreign Relations, he provides critical insights into evolving security threats facing democratic institutions globally. Currently serving…
David Dunn, Professor of International Politics and Director of Internationalisation for the College of Social Science at the University of Birmingham. David holds a MSc in International Studies and has a PhD in War Studies. He has diverse research interests that fit largely within the areas of US foreign and security policy, strategic and security studies,…