Professor Marco Wyss
Professor of International History and SecurityCareer Details
Marco Wyss is Professor of International History and Security and the Director of the Centre for War and Diplomacy at Lancaster University; a Research Fellow at the Department of Military History, Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University; and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London. Before coming to Lancaster, he worked as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chichester, and a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich. He also was a Senior Humboldt Fellow at the Leibniz Institute of European History in Mainz, a Senior Researcher at the University of Lausanne and a Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, and held visiting professorships at Sciences Po Lille and Sciences Po Aix. Marco holds an MA in History and Philosophy from the University of Neuchâtel, and an MA in International History from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, and gained his PhD in Politics and International Relations, as well as in History, from the Universities of Nottingham and Neuchâtel.
Research Overview
My research focuses predominantly on the international history of the Cold War. While the initial focus was on the role of neutrality and Britain in the East-West struggle, I am currently working on the Cold War in the so-called Third World, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa and in relation to Britain's and France's postcolonial security roles in this region. Meanwhile, I have also carried out research on peacekeeping in Africa, and the transformation of European armed forces since the end of the Cold War. Prior to moving into and beyond the Cold War, I carried out research on volunteers in the Waffen-SS.
Research Grants
I have received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy, the Humboldt Foundation, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Current Teaching
HIST258: The Cold War in Europe
HIST355: A Global History of the Cold War
HIST442: International Order and Disorder
HIST443: Warfare in History
HIST447: The Cold War in the Third World
External Roles
Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
Research Fellow, Department of Military History, Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University
Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Military History and Historiography, Brill
Co-Editor (with Jussi M. Hanhimäki), Book Series 'New Perspectives on the Cold War', Brill
President, Bibliographical Committee of the International Commission of Military History
Board Member, European Initiative for Security Studies
General Committee Member, British Commission for Military History
Member, Conseil scientifique de la recherche historique de la défense (CSRHD), Ministère des Armées, France
Editorial Board Member, The International History Review
Member, Scientific Council, Przegląd Historyczno-Wojskowy / Historical and Military Review, Poland
PhD Supervision Interests
I would welcome enquiries on topics related to the Cold War generally, but I would be specifically interested in proposals related to the Cold War in Europe and/or Africa. Meanwhile, I am also open to enquiries in relation to the following themes: British Foreign, Security and Defence policy since 1945, peacekeeping, and the transformation of armed forces.
Into the Grey: Grey Zone Warfare in Past, Present, and Future
01/02/2023 → 31/07/2025
Research
Talent and Research Stabilisation Fund 2022 (Marco Wyss)
21/11/2022 → 31/03/2023
Research
- Centre for War and Diplomacy