Dr. Martin Gaal has lectured at the University of Saskatchewan in Political Studies and International Studies since 2012. Prior to moving to Saskatoon, Martin lived and worked abroad for seventeen years in South Korea, China, Taiwan, Belgium and the United Kingdom. In Belgium, Martin read for his Ph.D. in International Relations at the University of Kent Brussels. While undertaking his studies, he had the opportunity to work at the European Parliament and Copura, a European Security and Defence consultancy. Since 2016, Martin has been deeply involved in developing the Global Studies Certificate, expanding the certificate to include over 300 courses in 10 colleges and created the Global Café series to explore pressing issues of Saskatchewan and Canada in the world. At the core of these projects are the goals of encouraging students to learn actively, think broadly, act ethically, and engage respectfully. In 2018-19, Martin received the USSU Teaching Excellence Award, and in 2019-20 he was the recipient of the College of Arts and Science New Teacher Award in BA, BFA, and BMus Programs. More colloquially, Martin describes himself as an inquisitive mind prone to stumbling on, over, and through various obstacles in life.