Salma Shaheen

Salma is an established expert in the field of strategic studies with about 15 years’ experience in related sub-fields in research, policy, teaching and engagement settings. She started in the School of Security Studies at King’s since 2018 in War Studies department, and from 2022 she is associated with the Defence Studies Department.

Salma completed her PhD at the War Studies department, King’s College London in 2018. Her thesis is based on a comparative 
study to explore factors influencing the evolution and stability of nuclear command and control (C2) norms. In so doing, the research compares how four different nuclear weapon states (Britain, China, India and Pakistan) have gone about developing their nuclear C2 organizations, and demonstrates that despite several differences among cases, there is a central set of factors that remain constant over time and space. These suggest that there is a set of dynamics that could form a global norm for nuclear C2.

Before joining King’s, Salma worked on issues related to India-Pakistan peace process, South Asian strategic stability, international security and nuclear non-proliferation (regional as well as international) as an Assistant Director (Research) at Arms Control & Disarmament Affairs Directorate, Strategic Plans Division, Pakistan.