Student Profiles
Brother Christopher John
I’m an Anglican Franciscan friar (or brother) doing a PhD exploring contemporary Franciscan peacemaking. Since the time of Francis of Assisi 800 years ago those inspired by him have had a peace tradition, but this hasn’t always translated into active peacemaking. My interest is in looking at the factors which either activate this peacemaking or block it. I hope this will help us identify ways to be more active as “instruments of peace.” This is not just for Franciscans but for other groups/movements with a peace tradition.
My academic background is a recently completed MA in Franciscan Studies from the UK, but a significant part of what I bring to peace and conflict studies is the experience of living in a religious community for nearly thirty years. Despite the best intentions, it doesn’t always work out being a peacemaker, since many reasons, human and institutional, make that difficult. The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies provides me with a stimulating environment to develop my research project. I am constantly amazed at the experience and knowledge of our staff and my fellow students. Although this centre has been operating for only a few years it’s more than just a “National” centre and has truly become “International”.
It’s a challenge for me and sometimes a daunting one as I contemplate all that still remains between where I am and the end goal of a PhD but I feel well supported not only by the department but also by the university. And to have come back to the university where I laboured as an undergrad about 35 years ago is a very special thing.
Ellen Furnari
A number of years ago I did some work with the Center for Reflective Community Practice at MIT. When I moved to Sri Lanka in 2003 I started to volunteer with the Nonviolent Peaceforce and eventually becoming the Learning and Evaluation Officer for the NP Sri Lanka project. This allowed me to combine my fascination with how people learn from their work and use that learning, with unarmed civilian peacekeeping. Returning to the USA from Sri Lanka, I worked as a consultant on program design and planning, and learning and evaluation.
I am currently working on a PhD focused on effective peacekeeping. This combines the experience working for the Nonviolent Peaceforce in Sri Lanka with my interest in how people learn from their work. My working thesis title is “ Conceptualizing effectiveness in peacekeeping operations: Exploring the perspectives and experiences of individual frontline peacekeepers.” Soldiers, police, civilian unarmed peacekeepers and civilians who serve as peacekeepers have knowledge regarding what makes for effective peacekeeping, based on their experiences. There has been little research directed toward this focus. I hope to contribute to improved peacekeeping by making this knowledge more visible and usable. As the number of peacekeeping missions increase and the context of the missions become less stable, it is important to capture the learning from the field.
Prakash Bhattarai
I am a PHD candidate in Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Otago- National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Dunedin, New Zealand. I hold two Masters Degrees, the first one in Population Studies from Tribhuvan University (TU) Kathmandu, Nepal in 2005 and second one in International Peace Studies from the Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies at University of Notre Dame, USA in 2010.
I have a decade of professional and leadership experience in the areas of democracy, human rights, peacebuilding, migration, and youth.My work in Nepal has been in a leadership and managerial role in both national and international organizations. From July-December 2009, I got a practical action opportunity to work at Catholic Relief Service, Mindanao, Philippines, where I was engaged in a research project on third party intervention in the Mindanao peace process and the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of peace education program in Mindanao, Philippines.
As part of my PhD dissertation,I am currently focused on a research project that seeks to explain the coordination dynamics of third party intervention in conflict-affected countries. Research demonstrates the levels, trends, effectiveness, and other dimensions of coordination and cooperation among peace interveners and the problems and prospects associated with multiparty intervention in the resolution of a conflict. This research will be primarily based on field research in Nepal and the Philippines.
Liesel Mitchell
As 2010 launched Peace and Conflict Studies as a new department, and I became a foundation member of its Postgraduate Diploma class, I really didn’t know what to expect. What had captured me was all in the name – I loved the idea of learning about peace AND conflict. And I was not disappointed. The classes were stimulating and engaging, encouraging us (despite - or maybe it was because of – our varied backgrounds in study and life experience) to dig deep and use our intellect, ideas, creativity, knowledge, imaginations, theories and thoughts to unpick and put back together again the various aspects of peace (would that be positive or negative?) and conflict (resolved more effectively by armed force or nonviolent action?).
One of my favourite things about the course was the critical and expansive conversation around the topics that we debated in class. These discussions were not limited to class time, they spilled into lunchtimes, free post-grad coffee hour and the Wednesday morning teas at the centre. This wasn’t just a university course, for me it was an intellectual challenge to the way I see the world and how I choose to live within it.
In terms of future plans, I see Peace and Conflict Studies as not only a career path but also a framework which will enable me to view any job or career through the peace and conflict lens. Conflict occurs in every aspect of our lives and we are always using tools such as mediation and negotiation to keep the peace. I know that a greater understanding of the complexities of both peace and conflict will be invaluable and relevant to whatever future path I journey down.
Liesel is now completing a Masters at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.
Paul Bedggood
After undergraduate and Honours studies at the University of Canterbury, coupled with a year volunteering in Africa, I sought out an institute that would add to my academic endeavours within conflict studies. Recommendations from current students convinced me I would find such a provider at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies in Dunedin.
My experience working in the Aid Industry in Southern Africa fostered a strong interest in New Zealand’s international development assistance. This was enhanced after learning that the primary sponsor, NZAid, was to cut funds to an NGO I worked for in Zambia. Consequently, I have focused my research on New Zealand’s official development assistance and its effect on peacebuilding. I hope to measure what effect, if any, our aid money has upon peacebuilding in the Pacific region.
Now half way through my thesis I can see why the Centre is quickly growing in popularity. The diverse nature of the Centre creates an incredibly interesting and stimulating environment. Further, the truly interdisciplinary approach means the Centre embraces an array of research and students from all paths.
Scott Pearse-Smith
Shortly after learning of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and meeting with Professor Clements, I enrolled in the Centre’s Master of Arts programme. I was immediately impressed by the diversity of research being conducted at the Centre, and the way it embraced interdisciplinary approaches. These qualities reflect the diverse cultural, academic and practical backgrounds of the Centre’s staff and students. The Centre provides an encouraging and collaborative environment, which promotes the sharing of research, opinions and ideas.
Writing a masters thesis has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The opportunity to design and carry out an extended research project was both challenging and liberating. The analytical and project management skills I have developed along the way will undoubtedly prove useful throughout my career.
My research investigated the impact of hydro-development on the peace and conflict environment of the Mekong Basin. More specifically, it explored how the continued development of the Mekong’s water resources might drive conflict both between, and within the riparian nations. In a nutshell, I found that hydro-development is unlikely to drive violent interstate conflict, due to the shared interests of Mekong states in regional hydro-development. It is likely, however, that continued hydro-development will increasingly drive conflict within nations, as it will devastate livelihoods and increase societal tensions.
Scott holds an LLB (Otago), and has recently submitted his Master of Arts thesis. He is currently pursuing the publication of his research, and is assisting Professor Clements on a number of research projects.
Anne-Marie Judson
Coming from an undergrad in comparative religions I was already open to the idea of Peace and Conflict Studies. During my postgraduate diploma I extended my interest in human security and I carried through with NCPACS into the Masters programme by thesis only. This allowed me to consider international law and responsibilities of the state during an international conflict in relation to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. The research component allowed me to ask questions that I was interested in, for example: What are civilian rights during a state of emergency? How does R2P fit in with standard customary international norms and law and can states derogate from our basic civil and political rights during a civil uprising?
NCPACS has helped me strengthen my research abilities as well as given me a firm understanding of how the world works in relation to conflict, conflict resolution, NGOs, international law and interventions including NATO and the UN. This knowledge undoubtedly will influence my work in the future.
Angelina Mukono Mnyanyi
After gaining a Bachelor of Law (LLB) From University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, I did my Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies at Otago University (2010). I am now working as an Advocate/ Budget Advisor with OUSA student Support Centre, and also doing a Masters with Peace and Conflict Studies.
What I really like about the programme is for me to be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in a wide range of areas of conflict both micro and macro which for sure can be attractive to potential employers in my near future. I thoroughly enjoyed my programme and particularly liked the way that the Centre for Peace Studies papers opened my eyes to different ways of viewing the world. The papers were both interesting and relevant to my future careers, and the work placements gave me the first opportunity to test myself on my mediation skills.
I really enjoyed the contact with my lecturers, all of whom were so approachable and helpful in terms of learning and discussing career paths. I love every moment I spent with my classmates.
I also like the fact that my programme allows me to work in different countries. I will always be thankful for the knowledge, skills, confidence, and support I received during my time at Otago. I recommend the programmes to anyone considering a career in Peace and Conflict.