My research is designed not only to advance academic debates but also to shape real-world policy and practice. I regularly advise governments, multilateral organisations, and civil society actors on issues of conflict, security, and global illicit economies. I have briefed senior officials in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia — including ministries of defence and foreign affairs, as well as NATO and the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate.
Through my collaborations with the United Nations, I have supported practitioners in mediation and in navigating the dynamics of non-state armed groups. My expertise has informed high-level dialogues at the World Economic Forum and contributed directly to peace processes and ceasefire negotiations in contexts of protracted conflict and fragile transitions.
My work has been recognised by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, leading international bodies, and agenda-setting global fora. By building bridges between research and policy, I aim to ensure that evidence-based insights contribute directly to more effective strategies for peace, security, and international cooperation.
Future Challenges: Preventing war
Redefining security and peacebuilding in the age of illicit flows: A spotlight interview with Dr. Annette Idler
Since 2015, the partnership between UNSSC and Oxford University has evolved into a dynamic collaboration, resulting in the development of training modules designed to assist UN personnel in effectively engaging with armed militias and non-state actors.
In this edition of the UNSSC spotlight interview with UNSSC’s Francesco Gheradi, we delve into the insights of Dr. Annette Idler, whose research is driven by a commitment to understanding human resilience in regions where state authority is limited or fragmented, particularly in borderlands. These areas often elude the traditional security frameworks that prioritize state-centric and military-focused approaches.
Dr. Idler discusses critical themes and the implications for peacebuilding and security in complex environments.
‘We’ve learnt our lesson with the war on drugs: this isn’t going to stop it.’
Dr Annette Idler, Director of the Global Security Programme at Oxford University, reacts to the Home Office’s new plan to fine smugglers advertising Channel crossings online.
Annette Idler 
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