François Akilatan is a PhD candidate in International Studies at Université Laval, under the joint supervision of Professors Anessa Kimball and Arthur Silve. He holds a master’s degree in international relations and a bachelor’s degree in political science.
His doctoral research examines the perception and construction of borders as security threats, the mechanisms underlying the contagious and cross-border diffusion of terrorist threats in sub-Saharan Africa, and the measurement of state presence in the Sahel’s border regions. Situated at the intersection of security studies, border studies, and African studies, his work seeks to deepen understanding of the relationships between border securitization, the spatial spread of terrorist violence, and state capacity in borderlands. It draws on econometric models, geospatial analysis, and indicator development to examine the diffusion of terrorist threats, assess border vulnerabilities, and measure variations in state presence. More broadly, his research interests include international security, international economic relations, terrorism risk and threat assessment, intelligence studies, strategic foresight, borderland governance, and political and security dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel.
Expertise
- International security, Borderlands governance, and International economic relations
- Terrorism, Political violence, Intelligence studies and Strategic foresight
- Geospatial Analysis of Security Risks and Vulnerabilities, Sahel
Selected Publications
- Akilatan, F. (2024). Traitement préférentiel du Canada et du Mexique dans le volet climatique du plan américain d’investissement : une violation du principe de la nation la plus favorisée ? Dans Richard Ouellet et Van Anh Ly (dir.), Nouveaux enjeux de la mondialisation économique
et politiques gouvernementales (pp. 237-258). Teseo Press. https://www.teseopress.com/nouveauxenjeuxdelamondialisationeconomiqueetpolitique/ - François, Akilatan « Beyond the Approval of Finland and Sweden joining NATO: making sense of Turkey’s unstable approach towards the alliance », Hot Takes, Network for Strategic Analysis, November 9th, 2023. https://ras-nsa.ca/beyond-the-approval-of-finland-andsweden-joining-nato-making
- François, Akilatan « Au-delà de l’approbation de l’adhésion de la Finlande et de la Suède à l’OTAN : que comprendre de l’approche instable de la Turquie vis-à-vis de l’Alliance ? », Points Chauds, Réseaux d’Analyse Stratégique, 9 Novembre, 2023.
- T. B. François Akilatan. 2021. Reorientation of Modern Diplomacy Regarding Counterterrorism Intelligence. In B. Yuvalı & T. Eğri (Eds.), Proceedings II of the 5th
International Students Social Sciences Congress (pp. 667-678). Scientific Studies Association (İLEM). ISBN: 978-605-7824-16-5 (2.c). https://www.ilem.org.tr/mediaf/5.UOSBK-C.2.pdf
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