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I am a professor of humanitarian studies at the International Institute for Social Studies of Erasmus University in The Hague. Humanitarian studies concerns the study of societies and vulnerable communities experiencing humanitarian crisis originating from disaster, conflict, refugee situations, and/ or political collapse. It studies the causes and impact of crisis; how people, communities and authorities respond to them, including efforts for prevention and preparedness; how humanitarian action and other external interventions are organized and affect the recovery from crises; and the institutional changes that crises and crisis response engender. I have a special interest in the intersections of humanitarianism with development, peacebuilding and gender-relations. In 2022, I was awarded the Spinoza Prize, one of the most notable Dutch awards in science. From this award, I have established a Humanitarian Studies Centre (HSC) based at the International Institute of Social Studies.

My research programmes have taken place in Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and other crisis-affected places. Currently, my main research programme concerns humanitarian governance: accountability, advocacy and alternatives. I also recently completer a programme on when ‘conflict meets disaster’, that studied disaster governance in high-conflict, low-conflict and post-conflict societies.

Research must be meaningful. I seek to make a difference for global development and social justice through my publications, through working with researchers and universities in crisis-affected areas, and through social activism and engagement in public debate.

Find out more about our work at The Hague Humanitarian Studies Centre

Recent publications:

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