Ms Katrina Abatis

Katrina Abatis started at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy as Head of Asian Affairs in February 2026, facilitating diplomatic efforts to address security challenges and build trust in Asia. Previously she was a Senior Program Officer in the Mediation Support Team at the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich, where she worked for 10.5 years supporting peace processes, running the Mediation Support Network, researching, and training others in mediation, negotiation and process design skills.

 Katrina has mixed cultural heritage (British/Greek) and enjoys exploring culture in mediation and dialogue, e.g. in her publication “Inviting the Elephant into the Room: Culturally Oriented Mediation and Peace Practice”, discussed in the Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiation’s podcast. Her interest in Asia was strengthened after living in Japan and travelling extensively in Asia, and she has published a policy paper, “Japan’s Approach to Peace Promotion”. Some of her other interests stem from a background in English literature – narratives in conflict and peace, as reflected in her co-authorship of an academic article, “Working Symbolically: Using Stories in Negotiation and Mediation Training and ongoing research. She worked as a Welfare Officer for international students for six years in the UK and has professional certificates in international education and in mediation and dialogue.