Housed at the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government (Mulroney Institute) at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), the Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict is an ambitious program that examines the causes of war and conditions for peace.
Dr. Jamie Levin is the inaugural Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict, which encompasses academic research, teaching, and public engagement. Dr. Levin's areas of research include inter-state armed conflict, asymmetric conflict, conflict prevention, and the role of international organizations in fostering peace and security.
The Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict plays a central role in enhancing the academic experience for students at StFX. Through undergraduate teaching and mentorship, the Chair contributes to the formation of future leaders and scholars who are informed, compassionate, and equipped to make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond. Through the program, students have the opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge research, experiential learning opportunities, and policy dialogue.
In addition to academic contributions, the Chair acts as a catalyst for public discourse and community engagement, organizing public lectures and collaborative initiatives that bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to examine complex issues of conflict and cooperation. By serving as a knowledge exchange hub, the Chair strengthens Canada's role in international peace and security and reflects the university's core values of justice, equity, and the dignity of all peoples.
The Chair strengthens StFX's leadership in policy development and conflict resolution research, fosters interdisciplinary collaborations with national and international institutions, contributes to the Mulroney Institute's mission of supporting evidence-based research on matters of pressing concern, and ensures that peace and conflict studies remain a long-term academic priority.
The establishment of the Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict aligns with the legacy of The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, whose international leadership and commitment to diplomacy, development, and multilateralism continue to inspire the work of the institute that bears his name. The Chair is made possible by a generous endowment donation to the Mulroney Institute from the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation.
About Jamie Levin
Dr. Jamie Levin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and the inaugural Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict at the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. Dr. Levin earned his PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto and an MsC from the London School of Economics. Previously, Dr. Levin was a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Dr. Levin's work focuses on peacekeeping and the role of weapons in the resolution of civil wars, and his research explores how weapons can be a stabilizing force in the resolution of conflict and the ways in which peacekeepers contribute to or detract from democratization.
His work has been published in both the academic press and popular media, including the Journal of Peace Research, Foreign Policy, International Peacekeeping, International Politics, International Studies Review, the Palestine Israel Journal, Harper's Magazine, Washington Post, The Walrus, Policy Options, Haaretz, and others. Dr. Levin frequently appears on CBC Radio to provide commentary on the Arab-Israeli conflict and has consulted on matters of global instability and security for the Foreign Policy Research and Planning Division of Global Affairs Canada.
Areas of Focus
- Research Excellence
Proceeds from the endowment provide research, conference, travel, and open access funds to the Chair and co-investigators. Research priorities will be identified by the Chair on an ongoing basis. - Student Research Scholarships
Proceeds from the endowment will be used to provide financial support to the most aspiring third- and fourth-year students who are pursuing honours research as identified by the Chair. - Academic Programming
The Chair will focus their course offerings in peace and conflict studies. These include Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict, The Causes of War and Conditions for Peace, Unconventional Warfare and New Security Threats, and Fault-Lines: Israel-Palestine. - Public Engagement and Community Outreach
Public engagement will be a cornerstone of the Tanenbaum Chair in Peace and Conflict. The Chair will organize public lectures featuring leading academics, policymakers, public intellectuals, and civil society leaders who focus on issues of conflict resolution, peace processes, and global security issues broadly defined. The Chair will translate their scholarly research for public audiences through media appearances and broadly accessible publications.
