Who Is Ann Fitzgerald? A Look At Her Work In International Security

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald is a Professor of International Security and the Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a role she has held since August 2019. She also leads the School’s Technology Governance Initiative, which began in 2023. She is widely recognized as a security policy expert and international adviser. Over the years, she has worked with governments and global organizations on issues related to national security and peacebuilding. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.

Current Role at the Balsillie School of International Affairs

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald was appointed Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs in 2019. In this leadership role, she oversees the School’s academic direction and institutional development. She is also a Professor of International Security, focusing on issues related to national and international security governance. In 2023, she began leading the Technology Governance Initiative, which explores the relationship between technology and public policy. Her leadership at the School has been formally recognized, including through national honors for her service and impact.

Academic Background and Education

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald completed a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Queen’s University. She later earned a Master of Arts in War Studies and completed her PhD in the United Kingdom. She also holds the distinction of being the first civilian female to graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada. Her academic training combines commerce, political science, war studies, and security policy, forming the foundation of her career in international security and governance.

Early Career and International Experience

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald began her professional career in the financial sector before moving into international security and policy work. She worked at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre and later at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. She also served at the North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly. During her time at NATO and the Parliamentary Assembly, she focused on accession strategies for Central and Eastern European countries. This early international experience shaped her long-term work in security policy and international cooperation.

Academic and Leadership Roles in the United Kingdom

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald worked at King’s College London in the Centre for Defence Studies. She later joined Cranfield University, where she held a Chair in Security Sector Management. At Cranfield, she served as Director of Defence and Security Leadership. She designed and developed the Master’s Programme in Security Sector Management, which has been delivered in both the United Kingdom and East Africa. Her work in the UK combined academic leadership with program development in the field of security governance.

Advisory Roles and Global Security Engagement

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald has advised transitional governments on national security policy and security sector reform. Her advisory work has included countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Serbia, Botswana, Albania, Montenegro, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Poland, and Lebanon. She supported the African Union High Implementation Panel and participated in the Sudan–South Sudan peace talks. Her work has focused on policy development, security reform, and governance in conflict-affected and transitional settings.

Work with International Organizations

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald has served in advisory roles for the British Government and has been a Senior Security and Justice Adviser to the UK Government. She is also part of the United Nations expert roster on Rule of Law and Security Institutions. In addition, she has contributed to advisory work for the African Union. Her roles with these organizations have centered on governance, national security, and institutional reform.

Academic Affiliations and Fellowships

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald is a Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy. She is also a Fellow at McLaughlin College at York University. She has held visiting professorships at the Royal Military College of Canada, Queen’s University, Nkumba University in Uganda, and Njala University in Sierra Leone. These affiliations reflect her academic engagement across multiple institutions and countries.

Publications and Research Focus

Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald publishes on the governance of national security, security sector reform, and international security interventions. Her research includes policy development in post-conflict environments and the governance of emerging technologies in relation to national security. Through her academic writing and policy work, she contributes to discussions on how governments manage security institutions and respond to global security challenges.

National and International Recognition

In 2012, Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contribution to post-conflict resolution and dialogue. In December 2024, she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her leadership of the Balsillie School of International Affairs. These honors recognize her service in the fields of international security, governance, and peacebuilding.

Leadership in Technology Governance

Since 2023, Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald has led the Technology Governance Initiative at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. This initiative focuses on the intersection of technology and national security. Her leadership in this area supports policy development related to emerging technologies and their impact on governance and security systems.