Course offered:
Research seminar European Security Matters : Crisis Management, Deterrence and Defence, Emerging and Unconventional Threats (30h)
Dr Weston is Deputy to the Director in the Security and Defence Policy Directorate and Head of Division for Maritime Security, in the European External Action Service. She is responsible for policy development and coordination on maritime security, as well as for the implementation of the political aspects of the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences concept. Until summer 2023, she headed the division dealing with Security and Defence Partnerships and Task Force NATO. With significant experience in EU civilian and military crisis management structures, she has been involved in the evolution of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy from its early stages, including in the planning and conduct of many of the EU’s civilian crisis management missions.
In 2008-2010, she served as Chief of Staff in the International Civilian Office/ Office of the EU Special Representative in Kosovo, led by Pieter Feith. In 2018-19, she was seconded to the European Commission in the framework of the Security Union Task Force, under the authority of Commissioner King.
Dr Weston holds a doctorate in Political and Social Science from the European University Institute in Florence and is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe.
Publications:
- “The EEAS and Crisis Management: The Organisational Challenges of a Comprehensive Approach”, Alison Weston and Frédéric Mérand, in The European Union in International Affairs, eds. David Spence and Jozef Bátora (2015)
- “Governing Beyond the Centre”, Alison Weston in The British Political Process: An Introduction, ed. Tony Wright (2000)