Dr. Francisco Mazzola

Biography

Francisco Mazzola is a Lecturer in Middle East Studies at the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. He holds a PhD from King’s College London, focusing on the dynamics between public and private armed actors and their impact on state structures. His research primarily examines the themes of limited statehood, particularly in Lebanon, where he investigates the role of national police forces within the dynamics of state and community policing as part of democratic reforms. Prior to his appointment at King’s College, he taught security studies and political economy at City, University of London, and the University of South Australia in Adelaide. Francisco has also worked as a Latin America analyst for a London-based security intelligence company and has consulted for organizations such as UNESCO and Transparency International. He is an active member of the International Studies Association and the British International Studies Association, specializing in politics and security issues in Lebanon, the Middle East, and Latin America. His recent publications include analyses of community policing within contexts of limited statehood and the hybrid security sector in Lebanon. Francisco leads the Future Threats Lab, a collaborative research initiative focusing on addressing global security threats through a human-centered approach.

Research Interests

Courses