Mark Sedra

Biography

Mark Sedra is the President and co-founder of the Security Governance Group (SGG), a private consulting firm specializing in the security and governance dimensions of war-to-peace transitions, and the Executive Director and co-founder of the Centre for Security Governance (CSG), a non-profit think tank focussed on peacebuilding and statebuilding processes in fragile, failed and conflict-affected states. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo and Balsillie School of International Affairs. His current research focuses on the topic of post-conflict statebuilding with an emphasis on security issues. He has conducted research on a number of countries and regions, including Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and the Balkans; however, the bulk of his research in recent years has centered on Afghanistan.

Mark was formerly (2008-2012) a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), an independent think tank that addresses international governance challenges, and led the Centre’s Global and Human Security Program. He has been a Research Associate at the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC), a German-based independent think tank specializing in peace and security issues, and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. He also served as the 2004-2005 Cadieux Léger Fellow in the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

Mark has been a consultant to governments, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs on issues pertaining to the security and political situation in Afghanistan, including the United Nations, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Notably, in late 2003 he served as the manager of the security chapter of the Afghan Government report titled, Securing Afghanistan’s Future: Accomplishments and the Strategic Pathway Forward, which was prepared for the Berlin international donors conference held on March 31- April 1, 2004. Mark is widely published in the field, having co-authored two books, co-edited three volumes and produced ten book chapters, twelve peer-reviewed journal articles and over 50 essays and technical papers. He is a regular media commentator on international security issues in Canada and globally.

Education

PhD, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 2013
MSc, London School of Economics, London, 2001
Hons BA, University of Toronto, Toronto, 2000

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

• International security
• State fragility and state building
• Peace building and peacekeeping
• Civil wars and insurgencies
• Security sector reform
• Irregular migration and human trafficking
• Disarmament and demilitarization
• Organized crime
• Cyber security
• Terrorism and radicalization

Websites

• Balsillie School of International Affairs

• Security Governance Group

Books

Articles