Andrew Maher

Dr Andrew Maher is a Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, part of the University of New South Wales. With a background as a former Australian military officer, he has operational experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, specializing in operations conducted by, with, and through foreign forces. His academic qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy from UNSW Canberra awarded on 5 July 2024, a Master of Terrorism Studies from Charles Sturt University in 2022, a Master of Defence Studies from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2010, a Certificate in Executive Management and Development from the Australian Graduate School of Management in 2018, and Bachelor degrees in Engineering (Civil) and Business (Management and Leadership) from the University of Southern Queensland in 2004.

For over five years, Maher has served as a postgraduate course convenor at UNSW Canberra, leading subjects on Irregular Warfare (GRIM Threats) and the Theory of Special Operations. He co-leads the Future Operations Research Group with Professor David Kilcullen, focusing on military challenges from 2030 to 2050, including future urban warfare, unconventional warfare, emerging flashpoints, and technological advancements. His research centers on irregular warfare, the conduct of competition leveraging non-state actors, proxy warfare—as explored in his PhD thesis 'The Strategic Logic of Proxy Warfare'—and developing concepts of unconventional deterrence. Notable publications include the book chapter ‘Special Operations Developments in the Pacific: Back to the Future?’ in 'Into the Void: Special Operations Beyond the Global War on Terror' (Hurst, 2024), peer-reviewed articles such as ‘Proxy War in Yemen: An Enduring Strategic Challenge’ (Australian Army Journal, 2025), ‘A Plan B: An Australian Support to Resistance Operating Concept’ (Australian Army Journal, 2024), ‘Resistance Strategy: Lessons from the Russo-Ukraine conflict’ (Australian Journal of Defence and Strategic Studies, 2023), and reports like ‘Unconventional Deterrence in Australian Strategy’ (ASPI, 2025) and ‘A Framework for Irregular Warfare’ (2021). Maher holds fellowships with the Modern War Institute at West Point, the Joint Special Operations University, and Charles Sturt University’s Terrorism Studies program, contributing to strategic discourse through policy reports, journal articles, and expert commentary.

Professional Email: andrew.maher@unsw.edu.au