Cody June Cunningham

I am a committed and analytical intelligence and security professional with a Distinction-level Master’s in Intelligence, Security and Strategic Studies, complemented by hands-on experience in corporate investigations, academic research, and open-source intelligence (OSINT). My career spans roles with international think tanks, investigative consultancies, and a solid background in hospitality, where I developed outstanding interpersonal, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills. My academic focus on contemporary security issues, ranging from cyber threats and terrorism to migration and gendered security, has been applied in real-world research for policy publications, including a briefing for the Austrian Foreign Ministry. I have also contributed to critical military studies research, earning acknowledgements for my editorial and analytical input. Resilient and adaptable, I entered the University of Edinburgh through the LEAPS widening access programme and was a recipient of the Scottish International Education Trust grant. I now seek a dynamic research role within an NGO where I can apply my interdisciplinary expertise to global policy challenges while continuing to grow professionally.

• Policy Briefing: Co-authored a policy paper on NATO accession (Finland & Sweden), published by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, later shared with the Austrian Foreign Ministry (2023).
• Corporate and Litigation Investigations: Supported multi-jurisdictional corporate investigations, asset tracing and litigation support in several sectors including the energy, mining, telecoms and infrastructure.
• Conference Presentation: Presented research on counter-terrorism at the Society for Terrorism Research Postgraduate Conference (2022).
• OSINT Impact Work: Participated in the OSINT for Ukraine initiative, contributing to workshops that documented human rights violations during the conflict (2022).
• Award Winner: Received a grant from the Scottish International Education Trust in recognition of academic merit and potential (2022).
• Global Competition: Shortlisted for the Harvard Kennedy School Postgraduate Scholarship and competed in the 2023 Geneva Challenge on loneliness.

• Policy Brief: “Neutrality, alignment and democracy in times of war: Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession” – OIIP, (2023).
• Acknowledged Researcher: “The Aspirational Promise of Soldiering” – Sanna Strand (Stockholm University, OIIP) and Maria Stern (Gothenburg University), Critical Military Studies (2023).

• Geneva Challenge Participant – Geneva Graduate Institute (2023)
• OSINT Training Certificate – Basel Institute on Governance (2023)
• Summer School – North Africa, Middle East Politics & EU Security Certificate (Trento University, 2022)
• Holocaust Educational Trust Student Representative – Auschwitz Study Trip (2015–2016)
• Society for Terrorism Research – Conference Presenter (2022)
• Open-Source Investigations for Ukraine – Participant (2022)
• WSET level one certification (2018)