Professor Joel Hayward joins Khalifa University

Prof. Hayward joins Khalifa University from a fellowship with Cambridge Muslim College in the United Kingdom. He previously served as Dean of the prestigious Royal Air Force College, Director of the Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies, Head of King's College London's Air Power Studies Division, as well as. Program Coordinator, Centre for Defense Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Defense and Strategic Studies, Massey University (both in New Zealand).

He is most well-known for his published books and articles on military matters, including the use of air power, his 2003 biography of Horatio Lord Nelson, and his writing and teaching on the Quranic concepts of war. He has lectured widely throughout the world on various defense, security and ethics topics and is a Professor of Strategy (Adjunct) at the Indonesian Defense University, and has given strategic advice to political and military leaders. He is currently working on a book titled: Prophet and Warrior: The Conduct and Justice of Muhammad's Military Campaigns.

"I chose Khalifa University for several reasons," says Prof. Hayward. "First, as a scholar of security, conflict and strategy, I see tremendous potential in the Institute of International and Civil Security, which has far more likelihood of contributing meaningfully to peace and stability in the region than any other academic department or think-tank known to me. Second, the Institute is new and its emerging programs are still developing. I'm therefore hopeful of being able to use my many years of experience in similar centers to help the Institute's Director to build truly transformational and effective programs that will make a real difference to students, to Abu Dhabi and to the region."

"We are very pleased that Prof. Hayward is joining us," says Dr. Tod Laursen, Khalifa University's President.

"His unique perspective on defense and security will be invaluable to our Master's students. Our MA in International and Civil Security is the only one of its kind available in the region, and is directly tied in with Abu Dhabi's 2030 vision, which is why it is so important that we recruit such prestigious faculty."

In addition to his books on defense and security, Prof. Hayward is also an Islamic poet, and has published two books of short stories and two collections of poetry. His most recent poetry collection is entitled Splitting the Moon: A Collection of Islamic Poetry.

"On a more personal level," concluded Prof. Hayward. "I am thrilled by the hope of improving my Arabic, deepening my knowledge of the region and of my religion and expanding my understanding of the Islamic concepts of international relations and conflict resolution."