Dr. Stephen Flynn is Founding Director of the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University where he leads a major university-wide research initiative to inform and advance societal resilience in the face of growing human-made and naturally-occurring turbulence. He is a Professor of Political Science with affiliated faculty appointments in the College of Engineering and the School of Public Policy, and spent a decade as a senior fellow for National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign relations. In 2008 he served as the lead homeland security policy advisor for the Presidential Transition Team for President Barack Obama. He was also a founding member of the Southeast Connecticut Committee on Foreign Relations, the predecessor of SECWAC.
Dr. Flynn was an active duty commissioned officer for 20 years, including 2 tours as commanding officer at sea. He holds the M.A.L.D and Ph.D. degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, and a B.S. from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Dr. Flynn is the co-author of the textbook “Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Policy and Engineering Principles” (2018) and is author of “The Edge of Disaster: Rebuilding a Resilient Nation” (2008) and the national bestseller “America the Vulnerable” (2004).
The mission of the Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC) is to foster an understanding of issues of foreign policy and international affairs by study, debate, and educational programming, primarily through a Speakers Series of 8 to 10 monthly meetings.
