Dr Manu Lekunze

Biography

Dr Manu Lekunze is Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen. Manu studies the security of states in the continually changing domestic, regional, and international environments. His research has examined questions in maritime strategy, insurgency, intelligence, defence policy, political economy and complexity science. He has published two books, several peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters.

Dr Manu Lekunze convenes Conversations on African Security, which brings together leading African security experts and practitioners to discuss topical issues in African security. In addition to the UK, Conversations on African Security were held in Abuja, Nigeria, Accra, Ghana, and Bamako, Mali. In October 2024, Conversations on African Security hosted Ghana’s Minister for National Security.

Manu often acts as an International Security Analyst, and has extensive experience providing security analysis to local, national, and international print and broadcast media, including the BBC, Al-Jazeera English, TRT World and CGTN.

Research Overview

Research Interests:

• International Security
• War Theory
• Great Powers (US, China, Russia) and Africa
• UK-Africa Relations
• Insecurity in the Sahel

Current Research

Nelson Mandela once said, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ For several years, Dr Lekunze has been researching the role of education in national security. The research aims to advise innovative policies on how developing states can use formal education systems and content to contribute to peace, security, and prosperity. It will produce Continuous Profession Development (CPD) courses to strengthen the role of education in promoting peaceful co-existence and political order in security-challenged societies in the developing world.

Teaching Responsibilities

Maritime Security

African Security

Introduction to International Relations