Hans Born

Hans Born is Head of the Research and Training Entity at DCAF, where he leads research and capacity-building on democratic governance of the security sector. His work focuses on parliamentary oversight of the security sector, democratic control of armed forces, military ombuds institutions, defence governance, security sector reform, and emerging security challenges, including artificial intelligence, climate security, and strategic stability.

He has more than twenty-five years of experience advising governments, parliaments, international organisations, and civil society on strengthening democratic accountability and effective governance of the security sector. He has led numerous international research programmes and policy initiatives in cooperation with organisations including NATO, the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the African Union.

Hans Born is the author and editor of numerous books, policy reports, and peer-reviewed publications on security sector governance and democratic oversight. His most recent publication is the Routledge Handbook of Security Sector Reform (2026), which provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary theory, policy, and practice in security sector reform. A full list of his publications can be found on Google Scholar.