The Centre for Security Sector Management is a research and education institute within a UK university, Cranfield University. Its main interest is in the application of management theory and techniques to the business of the broader security sector in all its facets. We contrast ourselves with those who come to examine security issues from an international relations standpoint, not because we think it is a false or misguided approach, far from it, but because in the practical application of solutions by and to government and civil society, the management of security sectors is what ultimately determines their functionality. It is not just the essential analysis and assessment provided by IR theory that matters. We run an almost unique masters course called Security Sector Management, based on this supposition. Our alumni tend to be senior and middle ranking officials and armed forces officers with careers in security sector management at the strategic level. Offshoots from our main education and research effort in this area has led us to become particularly well established in the theory and practice of making and implementing national security policy and strategy as well as the theory and practice of stabilisation and recovery from conflict.