In parallel with his life in the academy, for many years Dr. Harding ran an international consulting firm focused on conflict analytics, decision-support, and immersive training. Putting his educational philosophy into high-stakes practice, he designed and delivered complex, mission-aligned simulations, strategic engagements, and risk-management workshops for federal and global clients. His portfolio includes work with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the U.S. Department of State, USAID, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Visegrád Group and others. By applying a research-informed perspective on decision-making and ambiguity tolerance, he helped global leaders navigate complex challenges through direct, experiential stress-testing and practice.
Summary of Action
- Co-founded and lead a global education, conflict analytics, decision-support, and executive training consultancy serving universities, government agencies, NGOs, consortia, and international organizations.
- Designed and delivered mission-aligned simulations, workshops, and strategic decision-support engagements for clients including Economic Consortium of West African States (ECOWAS), Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Visegrád Group (cultural and political alliance of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia), the Budapest Centre for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, the U.S. Department of State, USIP, USAID, and Columbia University School of Professional Studies.
- Conduct outcome analysis and reporting to measure training effectiveness and strengthen program design, adoption, and stakeholder value.
- Translate complex mission environments into practical frameworks for decision-making, risk management, ambiguity tolerance, scenario-thinking, privacy/data stewardship, cybersecurity awareness, AI/ML-related use cases, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Advise and facilitate senior stakeholder groups across countries, institutions, and disciplines, including political analysts, legal advisors, minority rights leaders, military affairs professionals, media freedom experts, educators, and technology partners.
