New Director at the Small Arms Survey: Dr. Mark Downes

Dr. Mark Downes joins the Survey as its new Director. He brings with him a broad portfolio of experience in the security and development field, having served as Head of the International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT) then later as Head of the Operations Department and Deputy Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). Mark has worked for the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on conflict, peace, and development cooperation, and as Head of the Strategic Development Unit within the Law Enforcement Department of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Serbia and Montenegro. His professional experiences are underpinned by his work as an academic and researcher; he holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Limerick in Ireland.

Mark’s background and wealth of operational expertise in security and justice reform, coupled with active involvement as a trainer and researcher, will help the Survey reach its strategic goals for reducing proliferation, illicit trafficking, and firearms-related violence on national, regional, and global levels.

‘I am delighted to join the team at the Small Arms Survey. I’ve long admired the Survey’s work, its support to data-driven and evidence-based policy, and its commitment to a world without illicit arms and armed violence. I look forward to working with all of our staff and international partners to further strengthen the Survey’s role in supporting national capacity but also as a source of credible and innovative research in this field. This is an important year for our agenda with the Fourth Review Conference of the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Tenth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, and the Survey will continue to support both processes with its expertise and research', said Mark Downes.

The Small Arms Survey, founded in 1999, is a centre for applied knowledge in the field of proliferation and control of small arms, their associated parts, and ammunition. It produces research and evidence-based policy recommendations for practitioners and decision-makers alike, and information for the wider public. The Survey supports countries and communities affected by armed violence with technical advice, guidance, and capacity support to better understand and manage the drivers of armed violence.

The Small Arms Survey is an associated programme of the Geneva Graduate Institute.

For more information, contact media@smallarmssurvey.org