Mark Sedra

Mark Sedra is a former Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), an independent think tank that addresses international governance challenges and leads the Centre’s work on security sector governance. He also teaches in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. His current research focuses on the topic of post-conflict state-building 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 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. Over the past four years he has published numerous editorials, articles, policy reports, and book chapters focusing primarily on security issues in Afghanistan and the Middle East.