About
Krijn Peters is a rural development sociologist specialised in post-war reconstruction, international development, transport services and technology.
Professor Krijn Peters
Professor
Office - 030
Ground Floor
James Callaghan
Singleton Campus
Ground Floor
James Callaghan
Singleton Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision
Research Links
Areas Of Expertise
- Armed conflict
- Post-war reconstruction
- Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration
- International development
- Urban and rural transport services
- Rural access
- Appropriate and sustainable Technologies
Publications
Research Highlights
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Jenkins, J., Mokuwa, E., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2021). Rural–urban connectivity strengthens agrarian peace: Evidence from a study of gender and motorcycle taxis in Sierra Leone. Journal of Agrarian Change, 21(4), 776-795.
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Jenkins, J., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2020). At the end of the feeder road: Upgrading rural footpaths to motorcycle taxi-accessible tracks in Liberia. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 92, 100333
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Jenkins, J., Mokuwa, E., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2020). Changing women's lives and livelihoods: motorcycle taxis in rural Liberia and Sierra Leone. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport, 173(2), 132-143.
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Afukaar, F., Damsere-Derry, J., Peters, K., & Starkey, P. (2019). Rural Transport Services Indicators: Using a new mixed-methods methodology to inform policy in Ghana. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3, 100074
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Mustapha, S., Peters, K., & Tunis, N. (2018). Rural Transport Diagnostic Study in Sierra Leone - Final ReportSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51973
All Research
Journal Articles
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Peters, K., Jenkins, J., Ntramah, S., Vincent, J., Hayombe, P., Owino, F., Opiyo, P., Johnson, T., Santos, R., Mugisha, M., & Chetto, R. (2023). COVID-19 and the Motorcycle Taxi Sector in Sub-Saharan African Cities: A Key Stakeholders’ Perspective. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2677(4), 751-764.
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Peters, K. & Clarke, J. (2022). Upgrading rural footpaths to motorcycle taxi tracks in rural sub-Saharan Africa. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering, 175(6), 64-71.
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Jenkins, J., Mokuwa, E., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2021). Rural–urban connectivity strengthens agrarian peace: Evidence from a study of gender and motorcycle taxis in Sierra Leone. Journal of Agrarian Change, 21(4), 776-795.
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Jenkins, J., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2020). At the end of the feeder road: Upgrading rural footpaths to motorcycle taxi-accessible tracks in Liberia. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 92, 100333
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Jenkins, J., Mokuwa, E., Peters, K., & Richards, P. (2020). Changing women's lives and livelihoods: motorcycle taxis in rural Liberia and Sierra Leone. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport, 173(2), 132-143.
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Afukaar, F., Damsere-Derry, J., Peters, K., & Starkey, P. (2019). Rural Transport Services Indicators: Using a new mixed-methods methodology to inform policy in Ghana. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3, 100074
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Peters, K. (2016). Book Review: Pan-African issues in drugs and drug control: An international perspective. International Criminal Justice Review, 26(4), 362-363.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52061
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Jenkins, J. & Peters, K. (2016). Rural connectivity in Africa: motorcycle track construction. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Transport, 169(6), 378-386.
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Peters, K. (2014). Book Review: I Did It To Save My Life: Love And Survival in Sierra Leone by Catherine E. Bolten. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 52(3), 512-513.
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Peters, K. (2014). Book Review: Myriam Denov,Child Soldiers: Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front; Charles Villa-Vicencio,Walk with Us and Listen: Political Reconciliation in Africa; and Cedric Mayson,Why Africa Matters. Peace Review, 26(3), 446-451.
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Peters, K. (2013). Book Review: The War Machines: Young Men and Violence in Sierra Leone and Liberia by Hoffman, D.. Journal of Anthropological Research, 69(1), 131SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52064
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Peters, K. (2013). Book Review: Africa and the War on Drugs by Carrier, N & Klantschnig, G.. Druglink -Institute for the Study of Drug Dependence, 28(3)SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52065
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Peters, K. (2013). Book Review: Re-Member. Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Reconciliation of War-Affected Children. International Criminal Justice Review, 23(2), 200-201.
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Peters, K. (2013). Book Review: When the State Fails: Studies on Intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War, edited by Tunde Zack-Williams. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 51(1), 188-189.
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Peters, K. (2012). Youth, Wars and Violence in West Africa. History Compass, 10(12), 879-888.
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Peters, K. (2011). The Crisis of Youth in Post-war Sierra Leone. Problem solved?. Africa Today, 58(2), 128-153.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20786
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Peters, K. (2011). Riding the Wheels of Change. Young bike riders and the crisis of youth in Sierra Leone.. Revista de Relaciones Internacionales(16), 179-198.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20787
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Peters, K. & Kunkeler, J. (2011). “The Boys Are Coming to Town”: Youth, Armed Conflict & Urban Violence in Developing Countries. International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 5(2), 277-291.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa11118
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Peters, K. & RICHARDS, P. (2011). Rebellion and Agrarian Tensions in Sierra Leone. Journal of Agrarian Change, 11(3), 377-395.
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Peters, K. (2011). Book Review: States of Violence: politics, youth, and memory in contemporary Africa edited by E. G. Bay and D. L. Donham. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 49(1), 170-172.
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Peters, K. (2010). Book Review: Christian Lund, Local Politics and the Dynamics of Property in Africa.. Africa, 80(3), 513-515.
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Peters, K. (2010). Book Review: Insecure spaces: peacekeeping, power and performance in Haiti, Kosovo and Liberia. African Security Review, 19(3), 120-122.
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Peters, K. (2009). Book Review: The Intestines of the State: youth, violence, and belated histories in the Cameroon Grassfields. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 47(4), 630-631.
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Peters, K. & Peters, K. (2008). Book Review: Navigating Youth, Generating Adulthood: Social becoming in an African context. African Affairs, 108(430), 137-139.
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Peters, K. (2008). Reintegration Support for Young Ex-Combatants: A Right or a Privilege?. International Migration, 45(5), 35-59.
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Peters, K. (2007). Book Review: Navigating terrains of war: youth and soldiering in Guinea-Bissau, By Henrik Vigh. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 13(3), 758-759.
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Peters, K. & Richards, P. (2007). Book Reviews: Understanding Recent African Wars. Africa, 77(3), 442-454.
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Peters, K. (2007). From Weapons to Wheels: Young Sierra Leonean ex-combatants become motorbike taxi-riders.. Journal of Peace, Conflict and Development(10), 1-23.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20789
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Peters, K. (2000). Policy making on children in conflict, lessons from Sierra Leone and Liberia. Cultural Survival Quarterly, 24(2), 56-58.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20791
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Peters, K. (1998). When they say soldiers are rebels, it’s a lie. Cahier d'Etudes Africaine, 38(150-152), 581-617.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20792
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Peters, K. & Richards, P. (1998). ‘Why we fight’: voices of youth combatants in Sierra Leone. Africa, 68(2), 183-210.
Authored Books
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Peters, K. (2011). War and the Crisis of Youth in Sierra Leone Cambridge University Press.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa11348
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Peters, K. (2011). Child Soldiers: From Recruitment to Reintegration Palgrave MacMillan.
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Peters, K. & Dupuy, K. (2009). War and Children: a Reference Handbook (Contemporary Military, Strategic, and Security Issues) Greenwood Publishing Group.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20793
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Peters, K. (2004). Re-examining Voluntarism: Youth Combatants in Sierra Leone. Institute for Security Studies.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20795
Book Chapters
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Peters, K. (2019). Sierra Leone. Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2018 BrillSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51979
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Peters, K. (2018). Sierra Leone. Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2017 BrillSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51980
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Brocklehurst, K. & Peters, K. (2017). Constructing and deconstructing child soldier narratives.. Conflict, Violence and Peace. Geographies of Children and Young People. SpringerSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51970
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Peters, K. (2017). Sierra Leone. Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2016 BrillSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51981
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Peters, K. (2016). Sierra Leone. Africa Yearbook: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2015 BrillSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51982
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Peters, K. (2010). Social capital and collective demobilisation packages for ex-combatants: The case of Sierra Leone’s bike riders. Youth in violent life circumstances. Ways out of the ‘vicious circles of violence (pp. 163-176). The Development and Peace Foundation, NomosSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20799
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Peters, K. (2010). Generating rebels and soldiers. On the socio-economic crisis of rural youth in Sierra Leone before the war. The Powerful Presence of the Past: Integration and Conflict along the Upper Guinea Coast (pp. 323-355). Brill PublishersSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20800
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Peters, K. (2010). Local communities, militias and rebel movements: the case of the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone.. Militias, Rebels and Islamist Militants: Human Insecurity and State Crises in Africa (pp. 389-415). Institute for Security StudiesSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa16088
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Peters, K. (2005). Child Soldiers: prevention, demobilisation and reintegration. Children in Armed Conflicts. Recommendations to The Netherlands and the EU Plan NetherlandsSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20801
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Peters, K. (2005). Reintegrating young ex-combatants in Sierra Leone: Accommodation indigenous and wartime value systems. Vanguard or Vandals. Youth, Politics and Conflict in Africa (pp. 267-296). Brill PublishersSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20802
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Peters, K. (2001). Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone: Victims or Perpetrators? Opportunities for Reintegration. Africa Expert Meeting (pp. 69-74). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Africa Study CentreSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20803
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Peters, K. (1998). Fighting with Open Eyes”: Youth Combatants Talking about War in Sierra Leone. Rethinking the Trauma of War Free Association Books LtdSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20804
Conference Contributions
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Xavier, P., Yin, X., & Peters, K. (2021). Sustainable Engineering Management for International Development: lessons learned from a new and interdisciplinary MSc programme. In Engineering Education for Sustainable Development, CorkUniversity College Cork.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57408
Other Research Outputs
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Mustapha, S., Peters, K., & Tunis, N. (2018). Rural Transport Diagnostic Study in Sierra Leone - Final ReportSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51973
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Peters, K. & Mokuwa, E. (2018). Gender Mainstreaming in the Motorcycle taxi sector in rural Sierra Leone and LiberiaSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51974
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Afukaar, F., Peters, K., & Damsere-Derry, J. (2017). Rural transport diagnostic study in Ghana - Road survey report: Abor-Avenorpeme-Hatorgodo RoadSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51975
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Peters, K. (2006). Footpaths to Reintegration. Armed Conflict, Youth and the Rural Crisis in Sierra LeoneSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20794
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Peters, K. & Laws, S. (2003). When children affected by war go home: lessons learnt from Liberia.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52059
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Peters, K., Richards, P., & Vlassenroot, K. (2003). RAWOO Working PaperSU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52060
Supervision
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Why State-Centric Theories are relevant to understanding corruption, its prevalence and control in Nigeria? (awarded 2024)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Gerard Clarke -
'Security-First’ and the British Approach to Counterinsurgency: Security Sector Reform in Sierra Leone (current)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Dennis Schmidt -
Analysing Contemporary Land Tenure and the Impact of Land Reforms on Rural Peoples ‘Livelihoods in Customary Land: A Case of Zambia (awarded 2024)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Alison HannOther supervisor: Dr Gerard Clarke -
Research in the design and deployment of hybrid(generator- photovoltaic) power systems in subsaharan africa taking into consideration economic and social factors. (current)
MScOther supervisor: Prof Matthew Davies
Taught Modules
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EG-D10 Team Project & Individual Dissertation
The module is where this program ultimately culminates with the final development stages and realisation of a team based project (as defined at the recruitment stage) with individual aspects considered and assessed as a final dissertation submission. The nature of the dissertation will be dependent on the nature of the specialisation of the participant. During the period of this module, a preparatory period will be followed by participants spending (or utilising remote engineering techniques) a period of circa. 3 weeks in-country delivering the project, with support from academic team leads and other supporting staff, stakeholders or collaborators. This will be concluded with a debrief and final dissertation writing period.
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PO-257 Contemporary Wars and Conflicts
This module introduces and critically explores contemporary warfare and conflict, from post WWII up to the present War on Terror. It considers the de-colonization/independence wars; the Cold War proxy conflicts; post-1990 New Wars and the War on Terror.
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PO-M64 Violence, Conflict and Development
Violence and conflict have been enduring and widespread obstacles to the promotion of sustainable development throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, and the 21st century looks set to continue this pattern. This module examines the roots and causes of conflict and violence in developing nations and explores how and why such conflict emerge even between hitherto seemingly peacefully co-existing communities. The module asks what impact protracted and violent conflict can have upon development prospects and democratisation processes, and examines national and international responses to violence and conflict mediation processes and systems. The module also explores soome of the arguments surrounding the use of aid in conflict situations, and examines the extent to which development aid and emergency relief can assist in perpetuating a state of conflict.
Key Grants and Projects
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PI on an ESRC/DFID funded research on Finding traction: using an 'upgrading footpaths to motorcycle taxi accessible tracks' construction and maintenance manual to increase impact and reach. 2020
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PI on a CHERISH-Digital Economy funded research on Smart and innovative transport and value-chain solutions in Kenya 2019
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Co-I on a GCRF SU funded research on Infrastructure improvements and e-mobility to enhance sustainable livelihood development in the mountain and hill regions of Nepal. 2019
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PI on a GCRF SU funded research on Urban food security, small holder farmers and motorcycle taxis. 2019
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PI on a GCRF SU funded research on At the end of the Feeder road (pilot II): assessing the socioeconomic impact of upgrading rural footpaths (baseline study). 2019
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Co-I on an Impact Initiative/DfID funded activity on the relation between urban food security in Africa’s secondary cities and rural-urban mobility using intermediate forms of transport: informing policy. 2019
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PI on a GCRF SU funded research on Marginalised Youth, Peacebuilding and Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa: how to Assess and Unlock the Potential of rural and peri-urban Motorcycle Taxi Riders to contribute to the Achievement of the Sustainable Developmen 2019
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PI on a ReCAP/DfID funded research looking at Opportunities and Obstacles for Gender Mainstreaming in rural Motorbike Taxi Services in Sierra Leone and Liberia. (2017-18) 2017
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Co-I on an EPSRC funded SU Research Impact Fund on First Aid and “Last Mile” Transportation for Burns Patients in Africa 2017
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Co-I on an EPSRC funded SU Research Impact Fund on Identifying Engineering Challenges and Potential Solutions for Track Construction for Intermediate Means of Transport as part of Sustainable and Community Driven Development in Liberia. 2017
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ReCAP/DfID International Technical Advisor for the diagnostic study on rural transport services in Sierra Leone. 2017
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ReCAP/DfID International Technical Advisor for the diagnostic study on rural transport services in Ghana. 2016
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PI on an ESRC/DfID funded research on Assessing the Impact of Track Construction for Motorbike Taxis on Poverty Alleviation and Peacebuilding in Post-war Liberia. 2015
Career History
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Associate Prof in post-war reconstruction, rural development, Department of Political and Cultural Studies, Swansea University
2013 - Present
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Visiting Research Fellow, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre, Accra Ghana
2012 - Present
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Lecturer in armed conflict and post-war reconstruction, Department of Political and Cultural Studies, Swansea University
2010 - 2013
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Visiting Fellow International Crimes and Criminology, Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, VU University, Amsterdam The Netherlands
2010 - 2011
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Lecturer in International Development and Head of PG Teaching, Centre for Development Studies, Swansea University
2005 - 2010
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Research Assistant, Wageningen University & Research Centre
2001 - 2005
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Research Coordinator, Save the Children Fund UK
2000 - 2001
Public Engagements
- Blog: Urbanisation, motorcycle taxi transport and food-security in Africa’s ‘secondary cities’(2019) The Impact Initiative for International Development Research.
- Policy Brief (2018): Upgrading Footpaths to Motorcycle Taxi accessible Tracks: Accelerating Socio-economic Development in rural Sub-Saharan Africa
- Motorcycle taxis – the fast track to prosperity for Liberian villages (January 2019)
- At the end of the feeder road: assessing the impact of track construction for motorbike taxis on agrarian development in Liberia (The Impact Initiative)
- Policy Brief (2018): Enabling women to become Motorcycle Taxi Operators: Opportunities and Obstacles in Rural Sierra Leone
- Policy Brief (2018): Enabling women to become Motorcycle Taxi Operators: Opportunities and Obstacles in Rural Liberia
- Motorcycles and Rural Transport in Africa (2017) video by TheWaterChannel.
- Improving rural lives through the Liberian motorbike boom (PDF, The Impact Initiative)
- Youth, Jobs and the Role of the Public Sector in Developing Countries. Salzburg Global Seminar Newsletter.
Invited Presentations (from 2006 onwards)
- 2006 Max Plank Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany.
- 2006 Institute for Applied International Studies, Norway.
- 2007 University of Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
- 2007 Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford
- 2008 Dutch association for Criminology, the Netherlands
- 2008 International Peace Research Institute, Norway
- 2009 VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- 2009 Institute for Security Studies, South Africa
- 2009 German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Germany
- 2009 NWO-Wotro Science for Global Development, Ethiopia
- 2009 University of York, United Kingdom
- 2010 Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
- 2010 University of Sussex, United Kingdom
- 2010 University College London, United Kingdom
- 2010 Danish Institute for International Studies, Denmark
- 2010 International Catalan Institute for Peace, Spain
- 2011 University of Vienna, Austria
- 2012 Sabbatical/Visiting Fellow Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre
- 2013 IISS, United Kingdom
- 2015 Salzburg Global Seminar, Austria
- 2016 ESRC/DFID Impact Initiative, South Africa
- 2016 Clingendael Institute for International Relations, the Netherlands
- 2017 Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ghana
- 2017 Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Sierra Leone
- 2017 ESRC/DFID Putting Children First, Ethiopia
- 2017 ReCAP/DFID Inter-Regional Implementation Meeting, Uganda
- 2018 Global Challenges Research Council Meeting, Kenya
- 2018 Gender Summit 14, Rwanda
- 2018 Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Sierra Leone
- 2018 Ministry of Public Works, Liberia
- 2018 ESRC/DFID Impact Initiative, India
- 2019 Impact Initiative for International Development Research, Kenya
Current And Former Phd/Mphil Students
- Amaechi Okonkwo: Agency or Structure? Nigerian University Students' Perspectives of Influences on Sexual Risk Taking. (PhD awarded 2009)
- Olatunji Olateju: 'Neo-Communitarianism and Speconomy as models for development in Sub-Saharan Africa. (PhD awarded 2013)
- Ibrahim Alomari: Primary Education, Conflict and Policy Implications in the Gaza Strip. (PhD awarded 2014)
- Emrah Ozdemir: Post-Conflict Statebuilding as an International Counterinsurgency Policy: a Critical Analysis of Afghanistan. (PhD awarded 2017)
- Patience Bentu: Promoting Development through Gender Equality in Politics: A case study of UNDP's "Democratic Governance for Development" Project in Nigeria. (MPhil awarded 2017)
- Benedict Koledoye: Decentralisation and the Challenges of Sustainable Development in Nigeria. (PhD awarded 2018)
- Rakiya Mamman: Social Analysis and the Development Enterprise: A case of World Health Organisation Country Programme in Nigeria' (awarded 2018)
- Ulas Inci: A Political Economy Analysis of Turkey's Agricultural Structure in the Conflict-affected region of South-eastern Anatolia. (PhD awarded 2019)
- Jack Jenkins: From Weapons to Wheels. Assessing the Impact of Track Construction for Motorbike Taxis on Rural Youth and Peacebuilding in Liberia (PHD awarded 2019)
- Christopher Morris: British Counterinsurgency and Security Sector Reform: The Long-term Consequences of Prioritising Security over Development (ongoing)
- Chanda Mwamba: Analysing Contemporary land tenure and the impact of Land Reforms on Rural peoples’ Livelihood in face of Customary Land in Zambia: a case study of Southern Province (ongoing).
- Hadson Kargbo: Assessing Transitional Justice Mechanisms and their potential for supporting the Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Continuum in Post – War Sierra Leone (ongoing).
- Joe Rees: Evaluating how governments gentrify their cities for major world-stage events – The case studies of Rio de Janeiro, London and Cardiff (ongoing).