Dr. Alejandra Gentil holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on the role of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in shaping global aviation security norms, examining its historical decision-making from 1961 to 2020. Using approaches grounded in decoloniality, critical constructivism, and securitization theory, her work contributes to the study of international organizations, governance, and security by analyzing how power dynamics and institutional structures influence policy development.
Dr. Gentil’s research, based on archival analysis and interviews, highlights the impact of (neo)colonial institutional design, militarism, and North-driven legitimization strategies on the aviation security framework. She explores how powerful actors have framed aviation-related concerns to serve their own interests while maintaining ICAO’s appearance of objectivity. Her findings encourage a reconsideration of the foundations of aviation security, advocating for greater inclusivity, equity, and transparency in global governance.
Before completing her PhD, Dr. Gentil earned an MLitt with Distinction in Terrorism and Political Violence from the University of St Andrews and undertook specialized training in game theory and political discourse analysis at FLACSO Mexico. In addition, she holds professional certifications in aviation security, instructional techniques, and safety management systems from internationally recognized institutions.
Dr. Gentil has extensive experience in the aviation industry, working with multiple stakeholders, industry groups, and civil aviation authorities. Her roles have involved policy development, advisory services, regulatory engagement, and capacity-building initiatives in aviation security. She has also led cross-cultural teams and contributed to training programs designed to enhance security operations in diverse regulatory environments.
Having lived and worked across multiple continents, Dr. Gentil brings a broad understanding of cultural and geopolitical diversity to her work. She is committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in both academic and professional contexts. She is particularly interested in incorporating Global South epistemologies into the Anglophone contexts through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative research.
Dr. Gentil’s research interests include decolonial approaches to global governance, aviation diplomacy, (critical) terrorism and the role of the Global South in influencing international norms. She is a member of the Terrorism & Political Violence: Next Generation Network (https://tpvnetwork.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/home-page/). You can connect with her on LinkedIn.