Edward L. Mienie

Edward L. Mienie is the Executive Director and Professor of Strategic & Security Studies in the Department of Political Science & International Affairs at the University of North Georgia. 

Dr. Mienie has more than 25 years of experience working in international relations and business, media relations, and coalition building. He earned a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of South Africa and received his doctorate in international conflict management while teaching and leading the academic exchange program with South Africa at Kennesaw State University. 

He is fluent in English, Afrikaans, and German. He served in the Diplomatic Corps of South Africa from 1987–1998, including four years as Deputy-Ambassador to Switzerland, four years as the Political Advisor to the Ambassador, and U.S. Government and Congressional Liaison, Washington, D.C., from 1989–1992. 

Dr. Mienie is also a veteran of the South African Defence Force, having served four years of active duty during the Angolan War in the early 1980s. His research interests include state fragility; national intelligence; the role of public diplomacy in conflict management; and nuclear nonproliferation.