My colleagues Constantin Ruhe, Lisa Groß and I have a new article out in the Journal of Refugee Studies! I won't post a PDF because it's open access, so anyone can download if for free. We dig into the question about why GDP per capita has not generally been a good predictor of new refugees. … Continue reading The Asylum Hump: Why Country Income Level Predicts New Asylum Seekers, But Not New Refugees
Peace and Conflict
Peacekeeping, Peace Enforcement, Peacemaking, Non-violence…how is tech affecting these things
Mobile Phones and Conflict Prevention: A recent interview
I was recently interviewed on my experience with, and research on, how mobile phones support conflict prevention as part of the launch of George Washington University's Media and Peacebuilding Project. Along with my interview, they interviewed some really excellent people from across the research and practice spaces. I'm really excited to see what comes out … Continue reading Mobile Phones and Conflict Prevention: A recent interview
Joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik!
I'm excited to announce that I'll be joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (German Institute for Development Policy) in Bonn, Germany! I'll be working in their Governance, Statehood, and Security group, doing research and providing policy advice on forced displacement in fragile and conflict affected countries. I'm excited to have the opportunity to put my skills … Continue reading Joining the Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik!
New Publication! “PeaceTech: The Liminal Spaces of Digital Technology in Peacebuilding”
I'm excited to share a new collection of essays published in International Studies Perspectives that I produced with Pamina Firchow, Roger Mac Ginty, and Atalia Omer. Our essays cover a range of issues in using technology for peacebuilding and stabilization, and add to the growing body of work being done on how digital technology is … Continue reading New Publication! “PeaceTech: The Liminal Spaces of Digital Technology in Peacebuilding”
The Challenge of Conflict Data
The last two posts I wrote focused on the social and political structures that drive data collection and availability. In these posts I was primarily talking about statistics in wealthy countries, as well as developing countries that aren't affected by conflict or violence. When it comes to countries that are beset by widespread conflict and violence, … Continue reading The Challenge of Conflict Data
After Paris, Now What?
Like many people I've been following the events in Paris with shock and sadness. I've watched the narratives evolve out of the tragedy, and a few resonate with me. Western leaders have seemed incapable of any kind of creative response to ISIL and the wider risks they pose. I responded on Twitter to an article … Continue reading After Paris, Now What?
Build Peace 2015
I was invited to be a speaker on the panel on behavior change and technology in peacebuilding and Build Peace 2015. The panel was a lot of fun, with some fascinating presentations! You can find them on the Build Peace YouTube page. Here's mine: This was a particularly fun conference, pulling together practitioners, activists and … Continue reading Build Peace 2015
Building Peace #5: PeaceTech
I'm excited to have my work included in Building Peace's latest issue on technology and peacebuilding. This is my doctoral topic and one of my main interest areas, so it's exciting to see it become an increasingly important topic in the conflict resolution and peacebuilding sphere. Here's a link to the entire contents of the … Continue reading Building Peace #5: PeaceTech
Dachau: A concentration camp up close
Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the Dachau memorial outside Munich, Germany. First, I encourage everyone who can to go, it's a superb and moving memorial. Particularly though, as someone who studies violence and the political economy of conflict and who also studied German political history, I was wondering how I'd feel visiting one … Continue reading Dachau: A concentration camp up close
Initial Reflections on the Charlie Hebdo Attack
By now news of the tragic shooting at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris has made it around the world. Since I work in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, it's been interesting seeing how the narratives about freedom of expression and the role of religion have circulated on social media. As I've sifted through the articles … Continue reading Initial Reflections on the Charlie Hebdo Attack
Charles P. Martin-Shields 