Tobias Vestner

Director, Research and Policy Advice Department, Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)

Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

About

Experience

  • Visiting Professor at Sciences Po
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    Responsible for: - Teach the graduate course "Emerging Technologies in Global Security: From Disruption to Governance"; - Teach the graduate course "The Geopolitics and Law of International Arms and Dual-Use Transfers".

  • Geneva Centre for Security Policy (Full-time · 9 yrs 10 mos)
    • Director of the Research and Policy Advice Department
      Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 4 mos

      Responsible for, inter alia: - Lead and manage the centre’s research and analysis, including the publication of academic and policy papers; - Lead and manage the centre’s policy advice, including the provision of expert workshops, public events, and consulting; - Research, advise, and teach on international security and law, with a focus on emerging and disruptive technologies, modern forms of warfare, multinational military operations and the role of international law in international security and strategy; - Design, acquire, and manage diverse research, advice, dialogue, and executive education projects; - Lead the collaboration of programme directors, senior advisers, researchers, programme officers, event coordinators and fellows.

    • Head of Security and Law Programme
      Sep 2016 - Feb 2022 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      Responsible for, inter alia: - Research and teach on the nexus of security policy and international law, with a focus on emerging and disruptive technologies, modern forms of warfare, multinational military operations and the role of international law in international security and strategy; - Advice policymakers and organize international conferences and workshops among policymakers and academics on security and legal challenges; - Design, acquire and manage diverse research, dialogue and executive education projects; - Lead the collaboration of programme officers, researchers, event coordinators and fellows.

  • Visiting Scholar at Stanford University
    Aug 2024 - Jul 2025 · 1 yr

    Visiting Scholar at the Center for International Cooperation and Security (CISAC) at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Stanford University, responsible for, inter alia: - Research on defense innovation and emerging technologies in international security; - Organize an international expert workshop, and consult scholars and policymakers; - Contribute to research and policy seminars.

  • Visiting Lecturer at Geneva Graduate Institute
    Feb 2024 - Jul 2024 · 6 mos

    Responsible for: - Teach the graduate course "Emerging Technologies in War and Peace: From Disruption to Governance".

  • Non-Resident Fellow at United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
    Sep 2020 - Jun 2024 · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Contributed to, inter alia: - Diverse projects on disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation, notably related to new technologies.