Professor David Galbreath

Professor of International Security

David J. Galbreath is recognised as one of the leading experts on comparative European minorities and their role in political transition and geo-political tensions. Following on from this, David has become well regarded for his work on European security organisations, alliances and security policy.

In this regard, his research spans the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rebirth of nations in Central and Eastern Europe and the challenges of EU and NATO integration. For instance, his work on the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been recognised as impactful by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the United States Department of State as well as the OSCE itself in the form of the High Commissioner on National Minorities. Most recently, he was invited to speak to ambassadors and dignitaries from member-states and international organisations on the future of European security and the OSCE.

David’s current research is a response to these challenges. In as far as international organisations and alliances are having to respond to the geo-political changes and the international financial crisis, the ability of states to respond to contemporary security challenges are in flux. In this regard, David’s research is currently examining how European militaries are responding to changes in society, finances and the use of force are shaping the development of contemporary and emerging warfare.

One of the key insights of this research is on how advanced robotics and mechanics is reshaping the way that militaries are thinking and planning for future wars. Along with Dr Manabrata Guha, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bath, David is seeking to challenge the historical approach to war studies with a design approach that considers the non-linear consequences of today’s wars. The critique is that the historical approach traps strategic and tactical planning into fighting the last war rather than preparing for the next one.

Overall, this research has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Leverhulme Trust, British Academy and the European Commission.

With his research on European security governance, his most recent project, funded by the ESRC is the entitled ‘Biochemical security 2030 - towards improved science-based multilevel governance’ designed to look at the effects of developments in science and technology and how this shapes the chemical and biological controls regime. This project runs from March 2013 in coordination with Dr Alexander Kelle at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the University of Bath, and contributions from Prof Malcolm Dando (University of Bradford) and Prof Kathryn Nixdorff (University of Darmstadt).