An international scholarly network grounded in horizontal cross-mentorship and solidarity, advancing rigorous research and producing high-impact analysis on global affairs.
Tessera is an independent and non-partisan research collective based in Toronto. Operating as an international network, we are dedicated to the rigorous study of global affairs and international security, with particular attention to human security. The collective began as an initiative at the University of Toronto in 2023 and formalized its international, cross-institutional format in 2024. This collaborative model was established by three graduate researchers from the University of Toronto, Princeton, and Rice University who recognized the need for greater attention to qualitative research within security studies.
We operate on the conviction that macro-level political shifts are best understood through granular attention to local dynamics. This approach requires a commitment to area expertise and fieldwork-based observation, developed in close collaboration with scholars from the communities and contexts under study. Like the tesserae of a mosaic, the collective assembles precise and contextually grounded insights into a coherent picture of complex and evolving security challenges.
Tessera is dedicated to two complementary goals: Cultivating a Research Community, Bridging Theory and Practice.
1. The Collaborative Research Lab
At the core of our work is a model of horizontal cross-mentorship. We host regular Work-in-Progress (WIP) sessions where researchers at all levels engage in intensive peer review to ensure that every paper is refined through collective expertise.
2. Applied Research & Analysis
We help translate rigorous scholarship into research reports, policy briefings, and op-eds that address contemporary security dilemmas. By applying academic frameworks to real-world challenges, we produce analysis that is both theoretically grounded and directly relevant to research, policy, and practitioner communities.
3. Global Scholarly Mobilization
We provide a platform for emerging scholars to build professional footprints across borders. We actively support our members by:
Navigating high-impact publication pathways, from collaborative submissions to peer-reviewed journals to rapid-response analysis across our own platforms.
Co-organizing conference panels at major international forums to showcase member research.
Hosting cross-institutional seminars that connect our network with senior experts and global policy networks.
With Myanmar’s final election phase ending on January 26, 2026, this report argues that lasting stability depends less on the electoral process than on curbing the military’s corrupt revenue networks
Catherine Moez is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leicester and King’s College London, currently working on a project on long-run public opinion on immigration in Europe. Previously (2024-2025),
The Tessera Research Collective is pleased to host Joah McGee, founder of the humanitarian non-profit Better Burma and host of the Insight Myanmar Podcast.
Joah has maintained a nearly 20-year relationship with Myanmar, residing in the country from 2003 until 2021. During the period of direct military rule (2007–2011), he served as a Training Coordinator at the American Center (U.S. Embassy Yangon), where he designed educational programs focused on building capacity within an emerging civil society.
Since its founding in 2019, his Insight Myanmar Podcast has become a primary English-language resource for in-depth analysis of the country’s political and spiritual landscape. The platform’s interviews with activists and local leaders are frequently cited by international outlets, including Foreign Policy, The Diplomat, and ABC News.
Drawing from hundreds of interviews conducted before and after the 2021 coup, Joah will offer reflections on how grassroots agency is leveraged to strengthen human security and resilience in the face of systemic crisis. This 90-minute session is designed for early-career researchers looking to deepen their understanding of humanitarian challenges under military dictatorship.
Space is limited. Please RSVP by emailing us.
The Tessera Research Collective will host a general meeting on May 1, 2026, to facilitate the transfer of duties for the incoming summer term (May–August). We are pleased to announce that Associate Professor of Practice Alaa Al-Aridi will join the leadership team as Senior Editor (International Law), overseeing and curating our publications in this field. Furthermore, we are delighted to welcome ten Junior Fellows. These undergraduate students have demonstrated exceptional commitment to international relations and human security. For the duration of the term, they will be paired with academics and industry professionals for mentorship and guidance on supervised research. This program is designed to cultivate the essential analytical skills needed to navigate complex global political developments.
Tessera is led by a dedicated team of graduates currently serving in leading roles across four branches: Leadership, Research, Editorial, and Publishing & Outreach. Each member contributes to shaping the collective’s direction and advancing its mission.
Tessera brings together scholars and practitioners in international relations and security studies, fostering a professional environment for meaningful collaboration and original research. Members join a community of like-minded researchers while building professional ties and networks that extend well beyond the collective. We welcome applications from graduates and PhD candidates specializing in International Relations or Peace & Conflict Studies. Upper-year undergraduates are eligible for positions as Publishing & Outreach Professionals or Research Analysts.
Curious to learn more? Drop us an email, and we will respond.
We are currently inviting applications from:
1. Graduates and early-career professionals in political science, law, and related fields for our six-month Research Fellows programme;
2. Upper-year undergraduate students and recent graduates for ten Research Analyst positions for the Summer 2026 term.
Applicants from any credible academic institution worldwide are welcome to apply. Applicants to both streams are asked to submit a CV and a brief statement of research interests by April 30, 2026.
