Home

The Mershon Center for International Security Studies 
(Mershon Center) explores the human and social dimensions 
of complex security challenges. Through research 
and engagement, we reframe the big issues as we
create new models for ground-level problem-solving.

Mershon Center highlights

Upcoming Events

State of Ohio flag
Fri, August 7, 2026
Bruno Cabanes and Cam Givens
Tue, September 1, 2026
Event Start Time: 3:30 pm
Event Location: Mershon Center, 1039 Derby Hall
Two people on a hill with mountains in the background
Wed, September 9, 2026
Event Start Time: 5:00 pm
Event Location: WOSU
The main house at Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland
Fri, September 25 - Mon, September 28, 2026
Event Start Time: 9:00 am
Event Location: Corrymeela Community

Recent News

Brooks Marmon with the cover of his Edson Sithole book

Brooks Marmon publishes Edson Sithole

Brooks Marmon, former Mershon Center postdoctoral scholar currently at the University of Arkansas, edited a new book, Edson Sithole: Law, Liberation and the Cost of Dissent (Voices of…

Hannah Kosstrin and the book cover of Kinesthetic Peoplehood

Kosstrin publishes "Kinesthetic Peoplehood"

Hannah Kosstrin recently published a new book entitled Kinesthetic Peoplehood: Jewish Diasporic Dance Migrations (Oxford University Press 2026), which examines Jewish diasporic dance…

Margaret Newell

Newell on NBC Washington

Margaret Newell spoke to NBC Washington about what George Washington smelled like. Spoiler alert: he used a citrusy personal fragrance still available today.

Red flag with Chinese characters painted on the side of a white building

Mitzen quoted in Global Policy

Jennifer Mitzen is quoted in a Global Policy article discussing "China's Ontological Advantage". Mitzen argues that states need "to experience oneself as a whole, continuous person in…

People Directory

Professor and Chair of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
Ralph D. Mershon Professor of Human Security, Professor of Sociology