About
Professor Randolph Kent is a Visiting Professor at King's College London's School of Global Affairs, affiliated with the African Leadership Centre through its Practice of Leadership programme. He holds concurrent roles as a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). His career spans over three decades in humanitarian leadership roles with the United Nations, including postings as UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia (2002), Kosovo (1999), and Rwanda (1992-1995), alongside directorship of King's Humanitarian Futures Programme (2004-2016).
- Education: Graduated from the London School of Economics
- Professional Background: Former UN Emergency Unit Chief in Sudan (1989-1991) and Ethiopia (1987-1989)
His research focuses on systemic approaches to humanitarian crises, organizational resilience during disasters, and long-term strategic planning for future risks. Notable works include Anatomy of Disaster Relief: The International Network in Action and an upcoming book Cassandra’s Challenge: Planning from the Future for the Future (2025). He has authored over 60 journal articles on humanitarian systems dynamics, crisis response frameworks, and preventive strategies.
Dr. Kent's recent work emphasizes anticipatory humanitarian action, evidenced by his 2025 event 'Humanitarian Futures: Challenges and Opportunities' at King's. His interdisciplinary approach bridges academic research with operational policy, particularly in capacity-building for multilateral organizations facing protracted crises.
