Expert Bio

Duncan Wood is the Visiting Fellow for North America at the Wilson Center.

Duncan Wood, Ph.D., is a globally recognized expert on international affairs, North American cooperation, and strategic supply chains. He is the CEO of Hurst International Consulting LLC and previously served as President of the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles. With over three decades of experience spanning academia, think tank leadership, and civil society engagement, Dr. Wood has shaped public discourse on issues ranging from trade and energy to critical minerals and geopolitical risk.

Dr. Wood has held senior positions including Vice President for Strategy & New Initiatives at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., where he directed the Center’s Mexico Institute. He has advised governments, corporations, and multilateral institutions on economic competitiveness, sustainability, and regional integration. A political economist by training, he has authored numerous reports and op-eds and frequently provides commentary in English and Spanish-language media.

Originally from the U.K., Dr. Wood earned his B.A. Hons in Politics from the University of Leicester, his M.A. from McMaster University and his Ph.D. in Political Studies from Queen’s University, both in Canada. He spent two decades in Mexico as a professor at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and continues to promote cross-border collaboration through his consultancy work.

A passionate advocate for smart policy, inclusive dialogue, and evidence-based solutions, Dr. Wood has testified before U.S. Congress and contributed to policy reforms in multiple countries. His current work focuses on the intersection of energy, technology, and national security in the Americas. He was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Leicester for his contributions to International Relations and is a Global Ambassador for the university’s Institute of Policy.