Francisco Proença Garcia

Francisco Proença Garcia is an Associate Professor with Habilitation and Dean for Faculty at the Institute for Political Studies (IEP) of the Portuguese Catholic University (UCP). He holds visiting academic positions at the University of Saint Joseph (Macau), Military University Institute (Lisbon), and Catholic University of Mozambique (Beira). His career includes roles as National Representative to NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (2014-16), Head of Postgraduate Studies at the Military Academy (2014), and Military Advisor to Portugal’s NATO/European Defense Agency delegations (2008-11). He chairs the Lisbon Geographical Society and is an academic member of the International Academy of Portuguese Culture and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Military History. His research focuses on African Studies, Geopolitics, and Security Studies, with 16 authored books and numerous peer-reviewed articles. Recent work includes Authoritarian Power and the Challenges to Liberal Democracy (2022).

Research Interests:

• African geopolitical dynamics
• Maritime security and Blue Economy
• NATO/EU defense policies
• Conflict resolution and peacekeeping
• Transnational threats and security governance

Professional Highlights:

• Key contributor to Timor-Leste peacekeeping (2000-2004)
• Advisor to Portugal’s Military High Command
• Author of influential works on Portuguese military history and modern warfare