Ruth Harris

Photo of Ruth Harris
Research Group Director, Defense, Security and Infrastructure, RAND Europe
Cambridge Office

Education

M.A. in defence and security, Kings College London; M.Sc. in conflict prevention and development management, The Open University; M.Sc. in logistics management, Lincoln University; M.Sc. in veterinary physiotherapy, Essex University

Overview

Ruth Harris directs the Defence, Security and Infrastructure group at RAND Europe. With 23 years in the Armed Forces, much of which working on global security issues, she has an extensive track record in the field of contemporary and future operating environment, strategy and policy, capacity building, concepts and doctrine, capability development and conflict analysis.

She is highly experienced in evaluation and analysis of conflict related geopolitical issues and has work extensively on operational deployments in regions across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.  She has worked in NATO HQ and SHAPE and led projects across a wide range of defence and security-related issues in the governmental, inter-governmental and industrial spheres. She was a research fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre, Oxford University, holds an M.A. in defence studies (Kings College London), an M.Sc. in conflict studies and an M.Sc. in logistics management.  She also specialises in strategic exercises and scenario development to underpin capability planning and robust decision-making.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

  • Violence Against Healthcare
  • A Changing Climate. Defence response to climate change
  • Enhancing deterrence and defence on NATO’s northern flank Allied perspectives on strategic options for Norway
  • Measuring the Risk of Terrorism
  • Integrated Air and Missile Defence

Languages

English; French

Publications