Professor dr. CONSTANTIN ROMANOSCHI

Constantin ROMANOSCHI graduated from Military Academy, Faculty of Mechanics, majoring in military aircraft, being then assigned to “Aurel Vlaicu” Aviation Institute, where he both taught and ran several technical departments.  In 1996 he was awarded a PhD degree in management and industrial engineering by University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, with a thesis about simulation-based optimal design of systems for specific aviation units’ activities. He graduated from different domestic and abroad training courses in the fields of military management of national security and foreign languages.

As to his professional career, after serving in a military unit dealing with defence imports, he dedicated entirely to his university career mainly at the Military Technical Academy and the National Intelligence Academy, but also as an associate professor at other military colleges.

He became a professor in 1998 and a PhD scientific coordinator in 2002 at the National Defence University and, since 2010, at the “Mihai Viteazul” National Intelligence Academy, as well.

He held several positions in university management and scientific research fields, such as scientific research coordinator and advisor for intellectual property’s protection,  vice dean, second-in-command, and head of department (management, foreign languages, and human sciences), prorector for scientific research at the Military Technical Academy, rector, and coordinator of the Center for Continuing Professional Development and Distance Learning, currently being the head of MVNIA Doctoral School.

From 2002 to 2005, besides teaching, he held leading positions at ORNISS and afterwards (2008-2011) coordination and control positions for the SRI education system, as an advisor to the deputy director in that field. He participated in national research competitions, both as a project author and manager, scientific researcher or evaluator, such as CEEX 2006 Program: “Research on Romanian Population’s Response and Resilience to Terror and Criminal Risks”, a nationwide pioneer program. He took part in drafting two EU-funded projects: “Developing Managerial Abilities of the Teachers in Leading, Coordination, and Control Positions in the Knowledge Society – OSCINT 2009”, where he coordinated the beneficiary’s team of experts, and “Improving the Process of Continuing Professional Development and Promoting Security Education at National Level through an e-Learning System”. He coordinated/assessed PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s theses, as well as postdoctoral research papers. He was a member of the National Council of Rectors and the National Education Ministry’s select commission for validating university titles, diplomas, and certificates in military science.

During his over thirty-year military  teaching career, he drew up and delivered various  courses specific to military and national security organizations, including classified information protection, to both students and people in leading positions in all defence, public order, and national security structures. He published, as author or co-first author, 15 books and 95 articles and scientific works.

As a token of appreciation, he was awarded First Class Military Science  Merit Badge  by the defence minister and the National Order of Steaua Romaniei for the Knight grade, by the president of Romania.

Professor dr. GHEORGHE TEODORU ŞTEFAN

Since 2005 Teodoru Ștefan has been a member, professor, and PhD scientific coordinator of the MVNIA academic community. After graduating from the University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, he began his university and research career as assistant professor in 1990, earning his PhD diploma from the University of Bucharest in 1992.

During his SRI professional career, he participated in different domestic and international development courses on intelligence management, intelligence strategic analysis, international cooperation on national security issues, and HUMINT management.

During his over twenty-year national intelligence activity, he constantly merged intelligence practice with theory as analyst, manager, and professor. He was a rector of MVNIA from 2007 to 2013, contributing to the initiation and/or development of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.

His teaching and research activities, dedicated to security and intelligence, resulted in the publishing of more than 50 articles in journals and international conference proceedings. He is also the author, co-author, and coordinator of some books debating the nature of national security threats, the efficient ways of dealing with them, and intelligence management. He is the author of “Organized Crime – Drug Trafficking in the Balkans” (classified, Conference of South-East European Intelligence Services, 2002),  “Management of  National Security  Intelligence” (classified, Bucharest, MVNIA, 2009), co-first author of  “Globalization of Asymmetric Threats” (Bucharest, MVNIA, 2007), “Ecologic Challenges to Nations Security”  (Bucharest, UNAP, 2007) and “Money Laundering and Financing  Terrorism” (21th International Conference entitled “Man in the Knowledge Based Organization”, 2006), co-author of “Illegal Migration from Turkey and Its Implications for the National and European Security” (Bucharest, Top Form 2008, Geopolitics Magazine), “Effects of Global Economic and Financial Crisis on National Security” (Sibiu, 2010, Transilvania Magazine), coordinator of “The Need to Protect Critical Infrastructure” (Bucharest, MVNIA, 2010) and co-editor of “Intelligence in the Knowledge Society” (Bucharest, MVNIA, 2012).

In the last 15 years, he has been director of some research projects won in national competitions: “Developing Managerial Abilities of the Teachers in Leading, Coordination, and Control Positions in the Knowledge Society  – OSCINT 2009” (2010-2013 POSDRU strategic project),  “Dilemmas of Sharing and Accessing Information for an Efficient Management” (research contract, 2009), “Information Research Project” (2002-2005), the research activity and final results being top secret, as well as a member in the teams of research and implementation of some projects: “Intelligence Services in Romanian Society – Rule-of-Law Entities” (Bucharest, 2005) and “Critical Infrastructure and Modern Intelligence” (Bucharest, 2009).

Professor dr. CRISTIAN TRONCOTĂ

Cristian Troncotă graduated from the Faculty of History and Philosophy, University of Bucharest, 1976-1980. In 1997 he received a PhD degree in military sciences, majoring in military history, from the Academy of Superior Military Studies, nowadays entitled National University of Defence, with a dissertation focused on the intelligence services’ role in the foundation of national defence policy and strategy. For 10 years (1984-1994) he performed scientific research work at several archives. He began his teaching and academic research career in 1994 at MVNIA as a lecturer and became a professor in 2001. In 2007 he became a PhD scientific coordinator at MVNIA.

During his career, he was a coordinator of  bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, head of the Department of Communication Sciences, scientific secretary in the Senate of National Intelligence Academy, the coordinator of the program of Superior College for National Security , dean of the Faculty of Intelligence, dean of the PhD studies.

Starting with the 2013-2014 academic year, he has been a full-fledged professor at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Security Studies Department, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu.

Cristian Troncotă is a member of the editorial board of Studia Securitatis and editor-in-chief of Lumini și Umbre (“Lights and Shadows”), the journal of veterans from Romanian intelligence services.

During his over 31 years of academic and research activity, he has published over 150 articles in national and international journals dedicated to the history of secret services, security and intelligence studies. He signed as author, co-author, editor, co-editor, and coordinator volumes and chapters on the history of intelligence services, the role of intelligence analysis in security institutions, and the development of security culture in Romania.

Associate professor dr. ELLA-MAGDALENA CIUPERCĂ

Ella Magdalena Ciupercă graduated from the National Intelligence Institute in 1997, with a bachelor’s degree in psychosociology. In 1998 she received a master’s degree in geopolitics and social policies from Sociology and Social Work Faculty, University of Bucharest. In 2004 she earned a doctorate in sociology from the same university, her PhD thesis approaching the psychosociology of the active minorities’ influence. From 2010 to 2012 she was a postdoctoral researcher in military science. She started her academic career in 1997 as an assistant lecturer, becoming associate professor in 2007 and PhD scientific coordinator in 2014.

During her professional career, she has coordinated various bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and was appointed head of the Social Sciences Department at the Faculty of Intelligence. She is currently the head of the Social and Political Sciences Department at the Faculty of Intelligence Studies, having also been appointed as dean of the Faculty.

Ella Magdalena Ciupercă is a member of the editorial board of the Romanian Intelligence Studies Review, a member of the scientific committee of both Air Force Academy Review and Land Forces Academy Review.

In over 18 years of academic activity she has published five books, was the co-author of 11 others, and wrote more than 50 articles on security and intelligence studies from a sociological and socio-psychological perspective.  The development of the security culture, the implementation of the security expertise in entrepreneurial sector, and the study of social networks were among her favourite topics. The collection of papers include: “A Treatise on Social Pshychology” (Craiova: Sitech, 2015, co-author), “Intelligence Analysis Migration as a Security Threat. From Data to Intelligence in Art of Intelligence: Simulations, Exercises and Games” (New York: Roman and Littlefield, 2014, co-author), “Next Flood Level of Communication: Social Networks” (Aachen: Shaker Verlag, 2013, co-author), “Security Expertise and Corporate Social Responsibility” (Bucharest: MVNIA Publishing House, 2012, author), “National Security and Public Opinion Manipulation” (Bucharest:  Didactic and Pedagogic Publishing House, 2010, co-author), “The Psychosociology of Everyday Life. Social Action and Interaction” (Bucharest: MVNIA Publishing House, 2009, author), “An Encyclopaedia of Psychosociology” (Bucharest: Economic Publishing House, 2003, co-author).

For the past 10 years she has been the project manager and member of various research project teams awarded in both national and international competitions: project manager of  “Perception on Security Expertise and Education – Romanian Labour Market Binomial” (PN II grant, human resources, 2010-2012), member of “The Strategy and Management of National Space Industrial and Research Activities” (partnerships in priority domains, 2007-2010), “Research on Romanian Population’s Response and Resilience to Terror and Criminal Risks” (CEEX grant, 2006-2009), “Establishing Young Romanians’ Terrorism Awareness Level. Developing and Applying a Counter-Terrorism Educational Model” (A grant, 2005-2007).

Professor dr. IRENA CHIRU

Irena Chiru is a graduate of the Faculty of Communication Sciences, National Intelligence Institute. In 2005 she got a PhD in sociology from the University of Bucharest, with a thesis on the sociology of mass communication. She started her teaching and research career in 2000 as junior lecturer, becoming a professor in 2014, when she successfully delivered her habilitation thesis, confirming her right to coordinate PhD theses.

During her career, she has been coordinator of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, head of the Social Sciences Department at the Faculty of Intelligence, currently being the director of the MVNIA National Institute for Intelligence Studies.

Irena Chiru is member of the editorial board of the Romanian Intelligence Studies Review and editor of the International Journal of Intelligence, Security and Public Affairs (published by Routledge Taylor and Francis Group).

In over 15 years of teaching and research activity she has published over 50  articles in national and international journals dedicated to intelligence and security studies, has been the author, co-author, editor, co-editor, and coordinator of volumes and chapters on the role of the intelligence analysis in the security institutions, the development of the security culture in Romania, the interdisciplinary approach of intelligence studies and terrorism sociology: author of “Interpersonal Communication” (Bucharest: Tritonic, 2003, 2009), “Romania  Abroad” (Bucharest: UNAP, 2006), co-author of “Kamikaze Women” (Bucharest: UNAP, 2006), coordinator of “Intelligence Dynamics” (Bucharest: MVNIA, 2007), “Mass Media as an Instrument in Educational Counterterrorism Programs in a Non-Violent Path to Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building” (Fatih University Press, Istanbul, 2009), co-editor of “Intelligence in the Knowledge Society” (Bucharest: MVNIA, 2012, 2013, 2014), the co-first author of “Intelligence Analysis Migration as a Security Threat. From Data to Intelligence” in “Art of Intelligence: Simulations, Exercises and Games” (New York: Roman and Littlefield, 2014), author of “Building an Intelligence Culture from Within: The SRI and Romania Society” in “International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence” (Philadelphia: Taylor Francis, Spring 2014). In the last 10 years she has been project manager and member of various teams for research projects won in national and international competitions: a member of “Establishing Young Romanians’ Terrorism Awareness Level. Developing and Applying a Counter-Terrorism Educational Model ” (A grant, 2005-2007), “Research on Romanian Population’s Response and Resilience to Terror and Criminal Risks” (CEEX grant, 2006-2009), “The Strategy and Management of National Space Industrial and Research Activities” (partnerships in priority domains, 2007-2010), “Developing Managerial Abilities of the Teachers in Leading, Coordination, and Control Positions in the Knowledge Society – OSCINT 2009” (POSDRU  strategic project, 2010-2013), research team coordinator of “CARISMAND – Culture and Risk Management in Man-Made and Natural Disasters” and “CITYCoP – Citizen Interaction Technologies Yield Community Policing”, (2020 Horizon projects) and director of “Intelligence in the Knowledge Era” (PN II IDEI, 2013), “INTELLISEC – Development of a National Center of Intelligence and Security  Research” (POSCCE project, 2013-2015), Social Perception and Communication Strategies on National Security Risks” (PN II Young Teams, 2015-2017).

Professor dr. CRISTIAN BARNA

Cristian Barna is the dean of the Faculty of Intelligence, professor doctor, doctoral scientific coordinator at MVNIA, and associate professor at the Sociology and Social Work Faculty, University of Bucharest. He graduated from the Faculty of Psychsociology at National Intelligence Institute (2000), as well as from Faculty of Mathematics at “Babeş-Bolyai” University (2000), and earned a master’s degree (2003) and a PhD degree (2005) at the Sociology and Social Work Faculty, University of Bucharest.

Cristian Barna began his professional activity as an intelligence practitioner in the General Directorate for Preventing and Countering Terrorism. Afterwards he started his teaching career at MVNIA, where he coordinated the activity of Geopolitics and Security Studies Department and Political Sciences and International Relations Department, prior to his appointment at the helm of the Faculty of Intelligence.

Cristian Barna is the author of many papers on geopolitics and security studies, such as “Islamic Crusade”, “Jihad in Europe”, “The End of Terrorism and the New World (Dis)order”, “Terrorism, the Last Solution?  The Rise and Fall of Al-Qaeda”, “Al-Qaeda vs. the Rest of the World. 10 Years Later”, “Globalization of Asymmetrical Threats”, “Romania between Friends and Foes: Geopolitical Cut-Outs and Imagological Maps”, as well as of numerous articles published in journals or delivered at national and international scientific sessions.

The studies, papers, articles, and books published in journals and by national and international prestigious publishers focused on issues required in career training and development of MVNIA students, as well as on promoting security studies, reflecting the need to tailoring university curricula to national, regional, and global security developments.

Cristian Barna has been participating in scientific research projects such as “Establishing Young Romanians’ Terrorism Awareness Level. Developing and Applying a Counter-Terrorism Educational Model”, “Research on Romanian Population’s Response and Resilience to Terror and Criminal Risks”, “Integrated Management Systems for Economic and Financial Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Personnel against All Forms of Terrorism”, “Countering Hybrid Threats: Lessons Learned from Ukraine”, as well as in the following POSDRU projects: “Entrepreneurial University Lab – Progress through Innovation and Practice – (UniversPractic)”, “OSCINT XXI – Innovation for Pre-University Education Quality in South-West Oltenia, Bucharest – Ilfov, South-East, South Muntenia” and “START – A Quality Life in Safety!”.

Cristian Barna is a member of the scientific committees of the following national and international prestigious publications: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review, Intelligence, Studia Securitatis, and Geopolitics.

Professor dr. MARIAN SEBE

Marian Sebe graduated from Faculty of Economic Cybernetics, Statistics and Informatics of the Bucharest Academy of Economics Studies. In 2003 he received a PhD in sociology from University of Bucharest, his doctoral research studies and thesis approaching intelligence activity-related issues.

During his career, he was one of the most active promoters of intelligence proficiency and academic  traits in Romania, resulting in  developing a Romanian school of intelligence  thinking: he introduced  the intelligence domain in Romanian academic curricula under the form  of the Intelligence Analysis from Open Sources course (Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Bucharest), he laid the basis of the first Open Sources Intelligence Department in the Romanian Ministry of Defence and launched the first collection in intelligence, as coordinating editor at Nemira Publishing House.

In 1997 he started his teaching career as associate lecturer at University of Bucharest, becoming associate professor in 2010 and MVNIA professor and PhD scientific coordinator in 2014.

Considering his experience as executive director, consultant, and trainer in competitive intelligence, he drew up the first MVNIA research master’s degree program in competitive intelligence, which he coordinates.

He has been a member of US Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals Association since 2002, a member of the editorial board and reviewer for Romanian Intelligence Studies Review, published by the National Institute for Intelligence Studies.

As a member of SRI strategic development team, he projected strategic development directions of Open Source Center and contributed to reshaping MVNIA education and research strategy.

In the past five years, he initiated and coordinated the first European-funded MVNIA projects, as director of the training program within “Developing Managerial Abilities of the Teachers in Leading, Coordination, and Control Positions in the Knowledge Society  – OSCINT 2009” (POSDRU strategic project, POSDRU 2010-2013), director of “INTELLISEC – Development of a National Center of Intelligence and Security Research” (POSCCE  project, 2013-2015), and initiator and expert in POSDRU projects such as “OSCINT XXI” and “START – A Quality Life in Safety!”.

Being mainly interested in defence, military intelligence, competitive intelligence, and security intelligence, Marian Sebe signed as author and co-author many papers, articles and studies published in journals or delivered at national or international conferences on intelligence and security studies. Articles such as “A Romanian Tribute to Sherman Kent” (University of Bucharest Annals, Political Series, Vol.V, 2003), “Why Intelligence?” (University of Bucharest  Annals, Political Series, Vol. XIV/2, 2011), as well as papers of scientific and doctrine substantiation  of the field such as “Economic Intelligence” (MVNIA Publishing House, Bucharest, 2014), “OSINT – Open Source Intelligence” (MVNIA Publishing House, Bucharest, 2014), and “Agnotologic Intelligence or Designing an Intelligence Education and Training Simulation Center for Virtual Regional Worlds” (International Studies Association, Intelligence Panels, Annual Convention, US, 2015) reflect the evolution of intelligence studies in Romania.