The Sixteenth Council Research Fellowship
The Sixteenth Council(the Brian Reuben Policy Group), is unwavering in its dedication to fostering and overseeing conversations on global issues that transcend boundaries. Recognizing the interconnected nature of these challenges, the council commits both time and substantial resources to comprehensive research within its intervention domains. By actively engaging in the discourse surrounding universal concerns, the council strives to catalyze impactful collaborations and contribute meaningfully to the resolution of shared issues, fostering a more interconnected and harmonious global community.
OUR RESEARCH PRIORITIES
🔹Geopolitical Realignment and Strategic Rivalries
Core to: America | Asia | Europe | Middle East | Africa
This theme explores the shifting balance of global power in a multipolar world.
We analyze:
- The U.S.-China strategic rivalry and its global fallout
- Emerging regional blocs and new alignments (BRICS+, Indo-Pacific alliances, AU’s geopolitical posture)
- Security architectures and strategic autonomy (e.g., EU defense, Africa’s continental security, Gulf arms modernization)
- Great power competition in emerging regions (e.g., Latin America, Africa)
Goal: Equip leaders with foresight to navigate escalating rivalries while advancing regional stability.
🔹Economic Sovereignty and Trade Reconfiguration
Core to: Africa | America | Asia | Europe
In an era of decoupling, sanctions, and fractured supply chains, this theme focuses on:
- Regional trade agreements (AfCFTA, CPTPP, Mercosur, USMCA)
- Industrial policy and domestic manufacturing drives
- Economic diversification in resource-reliant nations
- The future of globalization: fragmentation or reform?
Goal: Help regions harness economic self-determination while staying competitive in a restructured global economy.
🔹 Tech Governance, Cybersecurity, and Digital Sovereignty
Core to: America | Asia | Europe | Middle East | Africa
Technology is no longer just a tool—it’s terrain for conflict, cooperation, and control.
We investigate:
- AI regulation, ethics, and economic impact
- Cybersecurity, surveillance, and digital rights
- Semiconductor supply chains and tech independence
- Blockchain governance and institutional trust
- Digital infrastructure development in emerging markets
Goal: Shape governance models that protect sovereignty, innovation, and liberty in the digital era.
🔹 Energy Futures and Resource Geopolitics
Core to: Middle East | Africa | Europe | America | Asia
As the world shifts from hydrocarbons to renewables, the geopolitical calculus changes.
We examine:
- The political economy of oil, gas, and rare earths
- Renewable energy investment and storage technologies
- Regional cooperation on climate adaptation and green infrastructure
- Energy justice and access in developing regions
Goal: Inform strategies that balance sustainability with geopolitical realities and regional needs.
🔹 Political Systems, Leadership, and Institutional Resilience
Core to: Africa | America | Europe | Asia
Around the world, democratic norms are tested and leadership is under scrutiny.
This theme explores:
- Political transitions, elite behavior, and leadership accountability
- State capture, constitutional manipulation, and civic erosion
- Judicial independence and administrative capacity
- Lessons from strong leadership models and institutional turnarounds
Goal: Support governance systems that are accountable, adaptive, and equipped for the 21st century.
🔹 Regional Security and Transnational Threats
Core to: Africa | Middle East | Asia | America
Terrorism, organized crime, and arms races don’t respect borders. This theme focuses on:
- Insurgencies and asymmetric warfare
- Military modernization and civil-military relations
- Regional security pacts and peacekeeping
- Illicit financial flows and border security
- The role of non-state actors in destabilizing regions
Goal: Strengthen national and regional strategies to prevent and respond to complex security challenges.
JOIN OUR RESEARCH FELLOSHIP
At The Sixteenth Council, we don’t just produce research—we shape the global agenda. Our Fellows are thinkers, practitioners, and visionaries who help us interrogate the world’s most urgent challenges and spotlight actionable ideas that move conversations forward.
Why Join Us?
🔹 Global Visibility for Your Work
As a Research Fellow, your insights won’t sit on a shelf. You’ll be:
- Featured on our international platform
- Featured on our international platform
- Showcased at high-level forums attended by diplomats, ministers, CEOs, and policymakers
- Positioned as a thought leader within your area of expertise
🔹 Opportunities to Influence and Engage
You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Present your research at regional and global events
- Facilitate critical discussions with leaders across sectors
- Participate in thematic panels tailored to your work
And yes—your contributions will be compensated. We value intellectual labor, and you’ll be paid for your active participation.
🔹 Amplification Through Interviews & Media
Fellows are invited to submit reports and thought pieces that may be selected for interviews and editorial features.
These interviews allow you to:
- Expand your reach
- Connect your ideas to real-world debates
- Gain traction in both academic and policy communities
🔹 Supported Speaking Engagements
We take your message seriously—and we’ll make sure others do too.
When selected to speak at our events, logistics are on us. We handle the arrangements so you can focus on delivering impact.
🔹 Annual Fellow Awards
Each year, we recognize Fellows whose research has shaped thinking and influenced action. Our awards celebrate:
- Excellence in scholarship
- Impactful storytelling
- Courageous inquiry
This is more than recognition. It’s a signal to the world that your work matters.
A Global Community, United by Purpose
The Sixteenth Council’s Research Fellowship is not just about publications—it’s about building a coalition of thinkers who believe in solutions. You’ll help us facilitate bold conversations on global challenges and the cross-border collaborations needed to solve them.
Ready to Influence the Global Conversation?
Send your expression of interest to research@16thcouncil.uk
We’re not looking for spectators. We’re looking for partners in ideas—people ready to shape the future
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