Michael Zinkanell, M.A.

AIES Director

Press photo

Michael Zinkanell is the Director of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy as of March 2023. Since January 2019, he has been working at the AIES, at first as Research Fellow focussing on the analysis of hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, and from January 2021 onwards Michael Zinkanell held the position of Deputy Director.

In 2014, Michael Zinkanell graduated from Malmö University, Sweden, with a bachelor's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. After his studies he pursued to work at the Austrian National Defence Academy, Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management, analysing the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. In addition, Michael Zinkanell expanded his academic interest and successfully completed his master's degree in International Development, at the University of Vienna, Austria. During the research for his master's thesis on Japanese development initiatives in Afghanistan and Iraq, Michael Zinkanell worked at the Afghan Embassy in Tokyo in 2017.

In addition to his management tasks, Michael Zinkanell is investigating European developments on a geopolitical, national, and socio-political level and is actively involved in the AIES scenario analyses. Furthermore, Michael Zinkanell focusses on new dimensions of hybrid threats, particularly emphasising political implications of disinformation and cyberattacks.