About us

Staff profiles

 
Brian Lucas

Resource Centre Manager
International Development Department (IDD), University of Birmingham

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 5037
Email: brian@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Coordinating the overall work of the resource centre
  • Strategic management and quality oversight
  • Administration, contracts, personnel, and financial management
  • Managing relations with clients
  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients


Profile

Brian is a project manager specialising in knowledge management and information technology solutions for international development and environmental issues.  He has experience as a manager, communicator, and educator in the public, private, and NGO sectors.  Brian joined the Governance Resource Centre, the predecessor to the GSDRC, in 2004 and led the bid to form the current GSDRC, and in 2005 became the manager of the GSDRC.  Prior experience includes:

  • Manager, information services unit, and web developer, United Nations Environment Programme GRID-Arendal (environmental information centre, Norway)
  • Web and database developer, CUSO / Fundación Acceso (capacity-building NGO, Costa Rica)
  • Director, manager, and workshop facilitator, The Global Change Game (environment and development education NGO, Canada)
  • Vice-president Publishing and web developer, Internet Solutions, Inc. (Internet service provider and web site publishing company, Canada)


Qualifications

  • MSc Management of Non-Governmental Organizations, London School of Economics
  • MSc, BSc Civil Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada.


Areas of interest

  • Knowledge and information management
  • Information and communication technologies
  • Environment and sustainable development
  • E-Governance
  • Management of Non Governmental Organisations
  • Distance learning


Projects and publications

  • Management and administration of the GSDRC
  • Teaching Knowledge Management and E-governance, University of Birmingham
  • Teaching on Development Management programme, University of Agder, Norway


Huma Haider

Research Fellow
International Development Department (IDD), University of Birmingham

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 8468
Email: huma@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Huma joined the GSDRC in 2007.  She is a licensed attorney (New York State Bar) and worked previously in the Prosecution Support Section of the War Crimes Chamber, Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  She has also researched into issues of refugee / IDP return, coexistence and reconciliation in Bosnia.

Prior to this, Huma was Director of Research and Publications at the Atlantic Council of Canada (a NGO focusing on NATO, security and development, and peacebuilding); and founding editor of The Transatlantic Quarterly (a journal focusing on the interplay of political, socioeconomic, legal, cultural and military components in the development of peace and security).


Qualifications

  • BA Political Science / Economics (McGill University)
  • LLB (University of Toronto)
  • MBA (University of Toronto)
  • LLM International Human Rights Law (London School of Economics)


Areas of interest

  • Transitional justice in the context of peacebuilding
  • Coexistence and reconciliation in divided societies
  • Identity and conflict dynamics
  • Role of refugees, IDPs and diaspora communities in conflict dynamics and peacebuilding
  • The Balkans, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina


Projects and publications

GSDRC Topic Guides

Conflict

Justice

State-Society Relations and Citizenship in Situations of Conflict and Fragility

Statebuilding and Peacebuilding in Situations of Conflict and Fragility

Journal articles

Haider, H., 2011, ‘Social Repair in Divided Societies: Integrating a Coexistence Lens into Transitional Justice’, Conflict, Security and Development, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 175–203

Haider, H. and Welch, T., 2010, ‘The Use of Protective Measures for Victims and Witnesses and the Balance of Competing Interests Under International Law: The Special Case of War Crimes Trials’, L’Observateur des Nations Unies, 28, Special Edition on ‘The Place of the Victim in International Law’

Haider, H., 2010, ‘The Politicisation of Humanitarian Assistance: Refugee and IDP Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, The Journal of Humanitarian Assistance, April

Haider, H., 2009, '(Re)-Imagining Coexistence: Striving for Sustainable Return, Reintegration and Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina', International Journal of Transitional Justice, 3(1), pp. 91-113

Haider, H. and Welch, T., 2008, ‘The Protection of Witnesses in Bosnian War Crimes Trials: A Fair Balance Between the Interests of the Victims and the Rights of the Accused?’, Denning Law Journal, 20, pp. 55-86

Books and book chapters

Haider, H., forthcoming 2012, ‘Media and Transitional Justice’ in The Encyclopedia of Transitional Justice, eds. L. Stan and N. Nedelsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Haider, H., forthcoming 2012, ‘Re-writing History Textbooks’ in The Encyclopedia of Transitional Justice, eds. L. Stan and N. Nedelsky. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Iacobucci, E., Trebilcock M, and Haider, H., 2001, 'Economic Shocks: Defining a Role for Government', CD Howe Institute, Toronto

Research papers

Haider, H. and Rao, S., 2010, ‘Political and Social Analysis for Development Policy and Practice: An Overview of Five Approaches’, Issues Paper, GSDRC, Birmingham

Haider, H., 2009, ‘Community-based Approaches to Peacebuilding in Conflict-affected and Fragile Contexts’, Paper commissioned by AusAID, GSDRC, Birmingham, UK

Haider, H., 2009, ‘Security Sector Reform in South-Eastern and Eastern Europe’, The Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform, Birmingham, UK

Conference papers

Haider, H., 2011, ‘Return in Divided Societies: Restoring Coexistence and Promoting Reintegration in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, Conference on Displacement and Reconciliation, Ottawa, 9–10 June

Haider, H., 2010, 'Positive Interactions between Coexistence, Transitional Justice and Peacebuilding in Divided Societies', paper to be presented at the International Studies Association Annual Convention: Theory vs. Policy? Connecting Scholars and Practitioners’, 17-20 February, New Orleans

Haider, H., 2008, '”Let's Have a Coffee”: Rebuilding Coexistence and Achieving Sustainable Return and Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina', paper presented at the International Peace Research Association Global Conference: Sustainable Futures – Enacting Peace for Development, 15-19 July, Leuven, Belgium

Edited works

Haider, H., 2004, 'NATO and EU Enlargement: New Security and Economic Opportunities', The Atlantic Council of Canada, Toronto 2004-2005

The Transatlantic Quarterly (TAQ), The Atlantic Council of Canada, Toronto

Other

Haider, H., 2009, ‘The Politicisation of Humanitarian Assistance: Return in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, Pulsdemokratije (The Pulse of Democracy), Open Society Fund, Bosnia and Herzegovina


Ann Kangas

Researcher
Social Development Direct, London

Tel: +44 (0)20 76545360
Email: ann@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Ann joined the GSDRC in May 2011. Prior to this Ann worked in various roles at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) both in the UK and in Indonesia. At IOM she was involved in setting up the out-of-country voting for the South Sudan Referendum as well as research on issues relating to labour migration and remittance utilization. Ann is fluent in Swedish and has working knowledge of German and Spanish.


Qualifications

  • MSc Violence, Conflict and Development, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • BA International relations and Politics, University of Essex 


Areas of Interest

  • Gender relations
  • Social exclusion
  • The role of elections in fragile environments
  • Conflict and political economy analysis

Erika McAslan Fraser

Researcher
Social Development Direct, London

Email: erika@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Erika joined the GSDRC in 2011. Prior to this, she worked as a policy analyst and researcher for DFID, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), UNICEF, and UN Women. Her recent work has focused on the needs of youth in conflict and disaster-affected countries, empowering poor people in fragile states, and gender, peace and security.


Qualifications

  • PhD Development Studies, Royal Holloway, University of London
  • BA Geography, University College London (UCL)


Areas of interest

  • Youth and livelihoods
  • Gender, violence and conflict
  • Social exclusion
  • Empowerment and accountability
  • Social protection


Projects and publications

Research papers

McLean Hilker, L., and McAslan Fraser, E., 2011, ‘Youth and Livelihoods in Fragile Contexts: Donor Strategies, Programmes and Funding’, International Rescue Committee (IRC), New York.

McLean Hilker, L., and McAslan Fraser, E., 2009, ‘Youth Exclusion, Violence, Conflict and Fragile States’, DFID, London.

Policy report contributions

OECD, 2011, Good Practice Note on ‘Empowering Poor People in Fragile States’, Povnet Task Team on Empowerment and Pro-poor growth.

McLean Hilker, L., and McAslan Fraser, E., 2011, ‘Development of Indicators on Women, Peace and Security, UN Security Council Resolution 1325’, UNIFEM, New York.

SDDirect / Delta, 2010, ‘From Relief to Development: Transforming UNRWA’s RSSP into a Dynamic Social Protection Programme’, Review of the Relief and Social Services Programme (RSSP) for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

McAslan Fraser, E. and Watkins, F., 2009, ‘Migration: Informing Policy in St Helena’, Report produced for DFID.


Claire Mcloughlin

Research Fellow
International Development Department (IDD), University of Birmingham

Email: claire@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Claire joined the GSDRC in 2004. Prior to this she was a civil servant in the UK Home Office’s Migration Directorate. Her recent work and research has focused on non-state service providers, the relationship between service delivery and state-building, and policies and approaches to aid in fragile situations. 


Qualifications

  • MA International Relations and World Order, University of Leicester
  • BA History and Politics, University of Leicester


Areas of interest

  • Service delivery in fragile situations
  • Non-state service providers and relationships with the state
  • International policy and approaches to aid in fragile situations
  • Political economy analysis
  • Migration and development


Projects and publications

GSDRC Topic guides

Communication and Governance

Fragile States

Political Economy Analysis

Political Systems

Journal articles

Mcloughlin, C., 2011, ‘Factors Affecting State-NGO Relations in Service Provision: Key Themes from the Literature’, Public Administration and Development, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 240-251  

Batley, R., and Mcloughlin, C., 2010, ‘Engagement with Non-State Service Providers in Fragile States: Reconciling State-Building and Service Delivery’, Development Policy Review, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 131–154

Research papers

Teamey, K., and Mcloughlin, C., 2009, ‘Understanding the dynamics of relationships between government agencies and non-state providers of basic services: Key issues emerging from the literature’, Non-governmental Public Action (NGPA) Working Paper Series, London School of Economics, London


Sumedh Rao

Research Fellow
International Development Department (IDD), University of Birmingham

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 7592
Email: sumedh@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Sumedh joined the GSDRC in May 2010. He has worked as a policy analyst and researcher with the Overseas Development Institute, Development Initiatives, Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and with DFID. He has worked on issues related to peacebuilding, state-building, capacity development and aid with a recent focus on aid architecture, donor reform in relation to risk and aid instruments in fragile states. He is fluent in English, French, Japanese and Konkani.


Qualifications

  • Master of Public Affairs, Sciences Po, Paris
  • BSc Politics and International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science, London
  • BSc Psychology, University College London


Areas of interest

  • Governance in situations of conflict and fragility
  • International policy and approaches to aid in fragile situations
  • State-building and state fragility
  • Political economy analysis 
  • Aid architecture


Projects and publications

Research papers

Haider, H. and Rao, S., 2010, ‘Political and Social Analysis for Development Policy and Practice: An Overview of Five Approaches’, Issues Paper, GSDRC, Birmingham

Baudienville, G., Domingo, P., Basu Ray, D. Rao, S. and Hedger, E., 2010, ‘Aid Instruments in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations : Impacts on the State- and Peace-Building Agenda’ Overseas Development Institute paper submitted to DFID

Development Initiatives, 2009, ‘Mapping of Transition Financing Procedures and Mechanisms’ submitted to OECD INCAF Task Team on Financing and Aid Architecture.

Rao, S., Higgins-Steele, A., Konialis, E., Ota M. and Wong, I. 2008 ‘Lessons Learned from Regional Approaches to Peacebuilding’, submitted to the UN Peacebuilding Support Office

Policy report contributions

OECD and UNECA, 2009, 'Mutual Review for Development Effectiveness in Africa Report 2009'

OECD and UNECA, 2009, 'Development Finance in Africa: From Monterrey to Doha'

OECD-DAC, 2008, Report on Multilateral Aid, DCD/DAC(2008)58/ADD


Oliver Walton

Research Fellow
International Development Department, University of Birmingham

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 4965
Email: oliver@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides


Profile

Oliver joined the GSDRC in May 2010.  Prior to this he completed a PhD in the Development Studies department at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), University of London entitled ‘Negotiating War and the Liberal Peace: National NGOs, legitimacy and the politics of peacebuilding in Sri Lanka 2006-7’, which explored the processes of legitimation and de-legitimation that surrounded NGOs’ engagement in peacebuilding during a peace to war transition.  He has worked for NGOs in Sri Lanka and the UK and has experience as a consultant for a number of agencies including DFID and Norad.


Qualifications

  • PhD Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • MSc Violence, Conflict and Development, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • BA History, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge


Areas of interests

  • NGO legitimacy
  • Civil society peacebuilding
  • Conflict prevention
  • War to peace transitions
  • Sri Lankan politics


Projects and publications

Journal articles

Goodhand, J. and Walton, O., 2009, ‘The Limits of Liberal Peacebuilding: international engagement in the Sri Lankan peace process’, Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 302-323 

Walton, O., 2008, ‘Conflict, peacebuilding and NGO Legitimacy: National NGOs in Sri Lanka’, Journal of Conflict, Development and Security, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 133-167    

Book Chapters

Walton, O. (and Goodhand, J.), forthcoming 2011, ‘Public vs. Private Power: NGOs and International Security’ in The Routledge Handbook of Diplomacy and Statecraft, ed. B. McKercher, Routledge, New York, ch. 37

Walton, O. (and Saravanamuttu, P.), 2011, ‘In the Balance: Civil society and the peace process 2002–2008’ in Conflict and Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka: Caught in the Peace Trap?, eds. J. Goodhand, B. Korf and J. Spencer, Routledge, London

Research Papers

Walton, O., 2010, ‘Youth, Armed Violence and Job Creation Programmes’, A Rapid Mapping Study for the Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre (NOREF), University of Birmingham and Norsk ressurssenter for fredsbygging

Conference Papers and presentations

Walton, O., 2009, ‘”They are not engaging in politics according to our criteria”. NGO legitimacy, politics and peacebuilding in Sri Lanka 2006-7’, paper presented at BASAS Annual Conference, University of Edinburgh

Walton, O., 2008, ‘”Peacebuilding without using the word peace”: National NGOs and reputational crisis management’, paper presented at workshop on ‘Disaster, Aid and Conflict: Sri Lanka in the context of War and Post-Tsunami Aid’ workshop, University of Berne

Goodhand, J. and Walton, O., 2009, ‘Boundary Politics and (il)liberal peacebuilding’, presentation at LSE Civil Society Seminar Series

Goodhand, J. and Walton, O., 2008, ‘The Limits of Liberal Peacebuilding? International engagement in the Sri Lankan peace process’, paper presented at the BASAS Annual Conference, University of Leicester

Goodhand, J and Walton, O., 2007, 'International Dimensions of the conflict in Sri Lanka', Paper presented at the CJPD Seminar, Luzern, Switzerland


Sarah O'Connor

Information Officer
International Development Department (IDD), University of Birmingham

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 3911
Email: sarah@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Managing the production of document summaries for the online library and topic guides
  • Monitoring new publications and managing relationships with other organisations to ensure capture of the best materials in GSDRC topic areas
  • Marketing GSDRC services and publications


Profile

Sarah has over eight years’ experience in international development, largely in knowledge management roles. Before joining the GSDRC in 2008, she was an editor and web manager for an international NGO and also worked in the publishing sector (Oxford University Press and Learning Media).


Qualifications

  • BA English Language and Literature, University of Oxford


Freida M'Cormack

Research and Information Officer
Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex

Tel: +44 (0) 127 391 5787
Email: freida@gsdrc.org


GSDRC Responsibilities

  • Producing rapid response research on a range of governance, conflict and social development issues for DFID, AusAID and other clients 
  • Writing and updating GSDRC topic guides
  • Managing the GSDRC website


Profile

Freida joined the GSDRC in May 2011, based in the Institute of Development Studies’ (IDS) Knowledge Services department. Prior to this she worked with other IDS Knowledge Services teams, as a Governance Convener and Research Editor. She is also a part-time DPhil student at IDS, focusing on the post-conflict reintegration of regional combatants in West Africa. Freida has also worked on various research projects in Sierra Leone and Liberia, including police reform; natural resources and conflict; ex-combatant reintegration; agricultural information systems; and youth empowerment. 


Qualifications

  • MPhil Development Studies, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton
  • BA Government, Cornell University, New York
  • BSc Urban and Regional Studies, Cornell University, New York 


Areas of interest

Post-conflict reintegration
West African regionalism
Research-Policy nexus
Youth empowerment
Natural resource governance


Publications

Research papers

Charley, J. P. C. and M’Cormack, F., 2011, ‘Becoming and Remaining a ‘Force for Good’ – reforming the Police in post-conflict Sierra Leone’, IDS Research Paper Vol. 2011 No. 70, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton

Journal articles

M’Cormack, F. I., 2007, ‘Have International Agency Programmes been able to Empower the Youth in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone: A Case Study of GTZ-International Services’ Africa Insight Vol. 37 No. 3, pp 344-361

Conference presentations and unpublished papers

M’Cormack, F., 2007, ‘Building Peace and Security through Ex-combatant Reintegration in Liberia’, paper presented at the 11th Annual Conference on Economics & Security, Bristol University

M’Cormack, F., Pugel, J., Quee, A. and Amara P. J., 2006, ‘A Situation Analysis of Ex-combatant Reintegration in Liberia’, Final Report prepared for the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Monrovia

 

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