Dr. Joan Johnson-Freese is a globally recognized thought leader, educator, and advisor on Women, Peace & Security, national security strategy, and space policy. She is a Senior Fellow with Women in International Security (WIIS) and served as University Professor and Chair of the National Security Affairs Department at the U.S. Naval War College between 2002 and 2022.

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Since 2004, Dr. Johnson-Freese has also served on the faculty of Harvard University’s Extension and Summer Schools, where she teaches courses on Women, Peace & Security, Leadership in War and Peace, and Grand Strategy & U.S. National Security. Her dynamic teaching style, combined with deep expertise, has made her a mentor to the next generation of security professionals and policymakers.

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An accomplished author, she has published numerous books and articles, including most recently Leadership in War & Peace: Masculine & Feminine (2025), Women, Peace & Security, 2nd edition (2024), Women vs Women: The Case for Cooperation (2022) and Space Warfare in the 21st Century (2016). Dr. Johnson-Freese is a sought-after speaker at national and international events, a trusted media consultant, and has worked extensively across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe as a lecturer, researcher, and advisor.