Dr. Aubyn is the Regional Coordinator, Research and Capacity Building at the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-Regional). He is a Senior Researcher, Lecturer, Training Facilitator and a Curriculum Development Expert, focusing on conflict and security management, peacebuilding, peace operations, terrorism, violent extremism and election security. Dr. Aubyn studied at the University of Ghana where he obtained his BA in Political Science with History (first class) and an MA in International Affairs. He also obtained his Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he won the two topmost awards in the University during his graduation in November 2015 – Post Graduate School Award for the Best Ph.D Thesis in the University; and the Omoworare Lucas Prize for the Best Ph.D produced in the University.
Before joining WANEP in November 2020, Festus worked with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Ghana as a senior Research Fellow for almost a decade; the country office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana (UG). In September 2016, Dr Aubyn served as a Visiting Lecturer at the Department of Political and International Studies, Rhodes University, South Africa. He was also part of the team that drafted the counter-terrorism strategy for Ghana in 2017 and a member/rapporteur of the working group that drafted the 2020 National Security Strategy of Ghana. Festus serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Webster University Campus in Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces Staff and Command College. Dr. Aubyn belongs to several professional bodies has consulted for national and international organizations, has participated and presented papers and keynote address in several local and international conferences on Africa and global peace and security issues and has several scholarly publications to his credit.