Graduate-led research collective producing fresh insights on global security challenges.
Tessera is a graduate student–led research collective dedicated to international security studies. Founded in 2023 at the University of Toronto by graduate students in international relations, Tessera unites emerging scholars committed to rigorous research. Taking its name from the tiny tiles of a mosaic, the collective pieces together diverse evidence to build a clear, coherent picture of the complex security threats facing the contemporary international order. Our first public event — a January 26, 2023 expert panel on Myanmar’s civil war — set the tone for our engagement with urgent global issues.
While adhering to the highest ethical standards in social sciences, we engage in the following core activities:
We maintain an active social media presence to disseminate our research findings, collaborate with peer organizations, and amplify voices from conflict-affected regions.
The Role of CTT Ideas in Shaping Security Studies In the ever-evolving landscape of international security, understanding the nuances of geopolitical dynamics is crucial. CTT Ideas, a cornerstone think tank
Welcome to CTT Ideas CTT Ideas stands at the forefront of international security studies, striving to reassess the global security landscape. As a graduate-student-led research initiative, our aim is to
Tessera is led by a dedicated team of graduate students, currently serving in leading roles across four branches:
Management, Research, Editorial, and Publishing Outreach. Each member contributes to shaping the collective’s direction and advancing its mission in international relations and security studies.
If you’re passionate about international relations and security studies and eager to contribute to meaningful, student-led research, we invite you to join the Tessera Research Collective.
Membership is open to third- and fourth-year undergraduate and graduate students in the social sciences or humanities. To apply, please email us with a brief statement of interest.
We’re looking for people who are curious, motivated, and willing to work together. Whether you want to publish, organize events, or take part in discussions, there are plenty of ways to get involved and help shape the collective.
The Tessera Collective is actively recruiting undergraduate students for positions in our publishing and outreach team, as well as graduate students looking to be analysts on our research team. To apply, get in touch with us – we are excited for you to be apart of Tessera.
Join Tessera Research Collective for a graduate-led roundtable on evolving security challenges in Asia. Featuring student researchers and expert discussants, this event will explore how shifting geopolitical dynamics shape global security.
👉 Zoom link will be posted here closer to the event date.
Tessera will unveil its first open-access photo exhibition, showcasing images submitted from conflict-affected communities around the world. The exhibition highlights local voices and the human dimension of security.
👉 Full exhibition details will be available here in November 2025.
