’Funmi Olonisakin is Vice President, International, Engagement and Service (IES) at King’s College London (UK). She is also Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at the African Leadership Centre in the School of Global Affairs at King's. Her research has been shaped by her interest in deepening understanding of why civil wars relapse, and the drivers of youth vulnerability and exclusion in the developing world. Her recent research focus has been on exploring the interface between leadership, peace, and security as a basis to unpack and understand the big transnational problems that confront the world today.
Olonisakin studied Political Science at the University of Ife, Nigeria (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and War Studies at King's College London. From 2003 until 2013, she was Director of the Conflict Security and Development Group at King’s College London. She currently serves as Chair of the Council of the United Nations University.