Research and policy

Having started out in journalism, a central pillar of my work has been research into aspects of conflict and peace dynamics. I am adept at framing research issues and processes with teams across country settings; mixing qualitative and quantitative methods; conducting consultations and listening to diverse perspectives to inform analysis; delving into secondary data and sources; and pulling together quality policy research outputs. I have authored and co-authored a number of studies, highlights of which appear below.

I have collaborated with UNDP Africa since 2015 working on a number of flagship reports that have explored people’s perspectives on critical emerging issues impacting Africa’s development context; as well as two sub-regional context analyses.

Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa (UNDP 2023)

Scaling Fences: Voices of Irregular African Migrants to Europe (UNDP 2019)

Journey to Extremism in Africa: Drivers Incentives and the Tipping Point for Recruitment (UNDP 2017)

Ending Need Indeed: Strategic Assessment Horn of Africa (UNDP 2018)

Central Africa: A Sub-Region Left Behind? (UNDP 2017)

I have worked on several studies that explore different dimensions of UN system capacities in relation to peace, conflict prevention and rule of law.

A Mapping and Analysis of Tools and Guidance on H-P Linkages in the HDP Nexus (Interpeace and IASC 2022)

The UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law: Guidance (UN, 2022)

Gender has been central to my work throughout my career, most recently supporting Interpeace to conceptually frame and develop practical tools to assist UN agency practitioners in integrating a gender lens into Sustaining Peace activity.

Integrating Gender in Peace Responsiveness (Interpeace, 2023)

A Gender Lens on Counter-Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism (UK Government internal policy brief, 2017)

Changing Fortunes: Women in Northern Uganda’s Peace Economy (Alert 2010)

From 2005-2015 I focused on researching a positive role for different private sector actors in relation to peace and conflict in different settings, as well as wider aspects of economic development and peace and conflict dynamics. During this time, I led International Alert’s related portfolio of projects and initiatives including establishing a country programme in Uganda that was focused on ‘aligning the economy with peace’.

Towards a Peace Economy in Lebanon (Alert 2015)

Tell it like it is: Civil Society’s Role in Tackling Serious Organised Crime in West Africa (Alert 2015)

Crime and Conflict: A New Challenge for Peacebuilding (Alert 2014)

Winners or Losers: Youth Employment Programmes and Conflict Risk in Nigeria (British Council 2014)

Harnessing Oil for Peace and Development in Uganda (Alert 2009)

Building a Peace Economy in Northern Uganda (Alert 2008)

Local Business, Local Peace: The Peacebuilding Potential of the Domestic Private Sector (Alert 2006)

Conflict Sensitive Business Practice: Guidance for the Extractive Industries (Alert 2005)