Santiago Tangir is a Visiting Research Fellow at UNU-CRIS.
Santiago Tangir is an Argentine public policy practitioner and international affairs specialist whose work focuses on Argentina–Brazil relations, regional integration and institutional diplomacy. He is currently Director of the Center for Argentina–Brazil Studies and Cooperation (CECAB) at the National University of Avellaneda (UNDAV), where he leads initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and building bridges between governments, universities, research centres, civil society organisations and other strategic actors in both countries. He also serves as Special Advisor to the Vice Minister of Security of the Province of Buenos Aires, advising on international relations, legislative coordination and strategic institutional affairs. Since 2022, he has also coordinated security arrangements for major international sporting events in Buenos Aires Province, including FIFA and CONMEBOL competitions.
In previous roles within the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires, Tangir served as Provincial Director for Institutional Cooperation and Director of International Relations, leading relations with governmental institutions, diplomatic missions, and international organisations.
His broader experience includes positions in Argentina’s national government, the Public Defender’s Office and the Council of the Magistracy of the City of Buenos Aires. He is also Executive Director for Argentina of iBRICS+, the Institute for Cultural Exchange and Economic Development of BRICS+ countries, and has developed extensive networks in Brazil, including strong working relationships with senior governmental, political and institutional actors at both the federal and subnational levels. His expertise in the politics and institutions of Argentina and Brazil is further reinforced by his participation in Brazil’s RenovaBR political leadership programme, of which he was the first international participant.
Tangir holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires, where he graduated with a Diploma of Honor, and has undertaken executive and postgraduate training in governance, public policy and international politics in Argentina, India and the United States.
During his Visiting Research Fellowship at UNU-CRIS, Tangir will work to strengthen UNU-CRIS’ institutional and academic links with South America, particularly Argentina and Brazil. In close collaboration with Frank Mattheis within the Regions and Cities Governance Lab (Re-LAB), and with Alberto Maresca on South America-related activities, his work will address Argentina–Brazil cooperation from a multi-level and cross-sectoral perspective, including the role of national and subnational governments, parliamentarians, universities, the private sector and other strategic actors in sustaining and deepening bilateral ties across changing political cycles. Particular attention will be given to subnational diplomacy and multi-level governance, while he will also support UNU-CRIS’ engagement with key governmental, parliamentary, academic and policy actors in both countries and help strengthen its institutional partnerships across South America.