Our Team
Mustafa Aryan
Executive Director
Mustafa Aryan is the Executive Director of the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Mustafa has MA in International Security Studies from University of Reading, United Kingdom; and a second MA in International Relations from University of Afghanistan, Kabul. Mustafa holds BA in Social Science from Kabul University and also a Diploma in Politics and Diplomacy from Institute of Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
Mustafa Aryan has around 10 years of work experience at governmental and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan and in the UK. He has previously worked as Director of Policy and Strategy at the Office of the Chief Executive of Afghanistan (OCE).
During his academic and professional careers, Mustafa has attended several workshops, seminars and conferences such as Conflict, Rule of Law and Local Security in The Hague Academy for Local Governance, in The Netherlands (Oct, 2019) and the 56th United Nations Graduate Study Programme in UN headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. During his master’s studies in the UK, he was a Masters Ambassador and also received the Red Award. Mustafa also received several appreciation awards/letters from different organizations for his achievements. Mustafa is interested in Peace, Security, Great Power Politics, and Intelligence Studies. Since 2019, Mustafa is one of the Women in International Security Next Generation Fellows.
Areas of Expertise: Security, Peace and Intelligence Studies
Executive Director
Mustafa Aryan is the Executive Director of the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Mustafa has MA in International Security Studies from University of Reading, United Kingdom; and a second MA in International Relations from University of Afghanistan, Kabul. Mustafa holds BA in Social Science from Kabul University and also a Diploma in Politics and Diplomacy from Institute of Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
Mustafa Aryan has around 10 years of work experience at governmental and non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan and in the UK. He has previously worked as Director of Policy and Strategy at the Office of the Chief Executive of Afghanistan (OCE).
During his academic and professional careers, Mustafa has attended several workshops, seminars and conferences such as Conflict, Rule of Law and Local Security in The Hague Academy for Local Governance, in The Netherlands (Oct, 2019) and the 56th United Nations Graduate Study Programme in UN headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. During his master’s studies in the UK, he was a Masters Ambassador and also received the Red Award. Mustafa also received several appreciation awards/letters from different organizations for his achievements. Mustafa is interested in Peace, Security, Great Power Politics, and Intelligence Studies. Since 2019, Mustafa is one of the Women in International Security Next Generation Fellows.
Areas of Expertise: Security, Peace and Intelligence Studies
Kayla McGill
Board Member
Kayla McGill is a Board Member of the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Kayla holds a Masters of International Affairs degree from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M where she focused on Women, Peace & Security, Diplomacy, and Intelligence. She received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Civic Engagement from Brigham Young University.
Kayla is a trained analytical researcher and her research focus is on gender and national security, cultural studies, and US-China relations. She has lead research teams and presented to The US Department of State, The US Institute of Peace and at academic conferences. In her current position as the Women In International Security (WIIS) Program Manager, Kayla manages all aspects of WIIS’ programs, projects, and initiatives and works closely with the WIIS President and team.
Kayla has worked extensively in the academic and public service realm. She worked for the WomanStats Project for five years as a Coder and Assistant Researcher, contributing to publications, working with qualitative and quantitative data, and representing WomanStats at events such as Beijing+20/CSW59 at the United Nations. Kayla currently represents the WomanStats Project at the Civil Society Working Group on Women Peace and Security where she also served on the Executive Committee from 2018-2019. Kayla also worked at the US Department of Defense in Legislative Affairs, and, prior to her time at WIIS, gained experience in the non-profit sector working at Mabira Collective (an organization promoting Ugandan women’s leadership and economic independence), and as a supervisor for International Language Programs in China and the US.
Kayla strongly believes in the importance of public service and cultural understanding. She speaks French, has lived in China, Germany, the UK, and France, and has traveled abroad extensively.
Areas of Expertise: Conflict, Gender & Security, International Relations (Specifically Diplomacy & Intelligence)
Board Member
Kayla McGill is a Board Member of the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Kayla holds a Masters of International Affairs degree from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M where she focused on Women, Peace & Security, Diplomacy, and Intelligence. She received her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Civic Engagement from Brigham Young University.
Kayla is a trained analytical researcher and her research focus is on gender and national security, cultural studies, and US-China relations. She has lead research teams and presented to The US Department of State, The US Institute of Peace and at academic conferences. In her current position as the Women In International Security (WIIS) Program Manager, Kayla manages all aspects of WIIS’ programs, projects, and initiatives and works closely with the WIIS President and team.
Kayla has worked extensively in the academic and public service realm. She worked for the WomanStats Project for five years as a Coder and Assistant Researcher, contributing to publications, working with qualitative and quantitative data, and representing WomanStats at events such as Beijing+20/CSW59 at the United Nations. Kayla currently represents the WomanStats Project at the Civil Society Working Group on Women Peace and Security where she also served on the Executive Committee from 2018-2019. Kayla also worked at the US Department of Defense in Legislative Affairs, and, prior to her time at WIIS, gained experience in the non-profit sector working at Mabira Collective (an organization promoting Ugandan women’s leadership and economic independence), and as a supervisor for International Language Programs in China and the US.
Kayla strongly believes in the importance of public service and cultural understanding. She speaks French, has lived in China, Germany, the UK, and France, and has traveled abroad extensively.
Areas of Expertise: Conflict, Gender & Security, International Relations (Specifically Diplomacy & Intelligence)
Dr. Layla Hashemi
Board Member and Research Manager
Dr. Layla Hashemi is a Board Member and Researcher Manager for the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Layla M. Hashemi completed her PhD at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, and a graduate research assistant at the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) at George Mason University in 2020. Dr. Hashemi has worked for various governmental and non-governmental organizations including Forum 2000 (Prague, Czech Republic) and The Journal of Civil Society. She is currently an adjunct professor of Political Science at Montgomery College where she teaches a variety of courses including Comparative Politics, International Conflict Resolution and a course she helped develop on Global Human Rights. Her current research focuses on illicit trade, human trafficking and corruption in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Dr. Hashemi received her M.A. from New York University in International Relations and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Areas of Expertise: Open source intelligence/social media analysis, gender, technology policy, human trafficking, corruption
Board Member and Research Manager
Dr. Layla Hashemi is a Board Member and Researcher Manager for the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Layla M. Hashemi completed her PhD at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, and a graduate research assistant at the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) at George Mason University in 2020. Dr. Hashemi has worked for various governmental and non-governmental organizations including Forum 2000 (Prague, Czech Republic) and The Journal of Civil Society. She is currently an adjunct professor of Political Science at Montgomery College where she teaches a variety of courses including Comparative Politics, International Conflict Resolution and a course she helped develop on Global Human Rights. Her current research focuses on illicit trade, human trafficking and corruption in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Dr. Hashemi received her M.A. from New York University in International Relations and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Areas of Expertise: Open source intelligence/social media analysis, gender, technology policy, human trafficking, corruption
Dr. Madison Schramm
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Madison Schramm is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Madison Schramm will be joining the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at Carnegie Mellon University as a Postdoctoral Fellow in August 2020. Dr. Schramm's research focuses on international security, the domestic politics of foreign policy, political psychology, and gender and foreign policy.
Dr. Schramm has articles forthcoming and under review exploring gender and conflict initiation (forthcoming at Security Studies) and democratic constitutional systems and conflict. She has additional working papers in progress exploring the relationship between gender and corruption, trends in democratic-personalist conflict, and the temporal variation in US covert action. page. Dr. Schramm's commentary and reviews have been published in Foreign Affairs, the Texas National Security Review, the Atlantic, the Christian Science Monitor, the Duck of Minerva, and CFR.org.
Prior to joining IPS, she was the Postdoctoral Fellow in Innovative Approaches to Grand Strategy at the International Security Center at the University of Notre Dame (2019-2020), and the Hillary Rodham Clinton Research Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security. She has previously worked with the Council on Foreign Relations; the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; Yale University's Political Violence FieldLab; and the RAND Corporation. Dr. Schramm received her PhD from Georgetown University in Government (2019).
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Madison Schramm is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Madison Schramm will be joining the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at Carnegie Mellon University as a Postdoctoral Fellow in August 2020. Dr. Schramm's research focuses on international security, the domestic politics of foreign policy, political psychology, and gender and foreign policy.
Dr. Schramm has articles forthcoming and under review exploring gender and conflict initiation (forthcoming at Security Studies) and democratic constitutional systems and conflict. She has additional working papers in progress exploring the relationship between gender and corruption, trends in democratic-personalist conflict, and the temporal variation in US covert action. page. Dr. Schramm's commentary and reviews have been published in Foreign Affairs, the Texas National Security Review, the Atlantic, the Christian Science Monitor, the Duck of Minerva, and CFR.org.
Prior to joining IPS, she was the Postdoctoral Fellow in Innovative Approaches to Grand Strategy at the International Security Center at the University of Notre Dame (2019-2020), and the Hillary Rodham Clinton Research Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security. She has previously worked with the Council on Foreign Relations; the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; Yale University's Political Violence FieldLab; and the RAND Corporation. Dr. Schramm received her PhD from Georgetown University in Government (2019).
Chantel Cole
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Chantel Cole is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Chantel Cole is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. She holds an MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a BA specialist honours degree in International Development and Political Science from the University of Toronto. She is also the Executive Director of Women in International Security-Canada. She is a recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral award by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Chantel has extensive experience working in the non-profit and community development sector, most notably as a Program Manager for an Indigenous grassroots community development organization in Guatemala called Maya-Mam Association for Research and Development (AMMID). She also has field experience in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and right in her hometown of Toronto where she worked as an International Youth Coordinator for a Canadian charity called OneChild, an organization dedicated to combatting the commercial sexual exploitation of children globally.
Chantel was recently a Research Assistant on a multi-disciplinary SSHRC-funded project focused on experiences of women who have had sexual interactions (ranging from consensual relationships to sexual violence and trafficking) with United Nations peacekeepers deployed as part of the MINUSTAH mission in Haiti. She recently completed my Master’s thesis on this topic which analyzes United Nation’s policies on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) perpetrated by UN peacekeepers. Her work develops innovative and comprehensive policies to address the situation of SEA against women and girls in Haiti where she did fieldwork in May 2019.
Besides academics, Chantel is trained in Muay Thai Kickboxing, acting/dramatic arts, and dance.
Areas of Expertise: International development, gender and politics
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Chantel Cole is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Chantel Cole is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. She holds an MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a BA specialist honours degree in International Development and Political Science from the University of Toronto. She is also the Executive Director of Women in International Security-Canada. She is a recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral award by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Chantel has extensive experience working in the non-profit and community development sector, most notably as a Program Manager for an Indigenous grassroots community development organization in Guatemala called Maya-Mam Association for Research and Development (AMMID). She also has field experience in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and right in her hometown of Toronto where she worked as an International Youth Coordinator for a Canadian charity called OneChild, an organization dedicated to combatting the commercial sexual exploitation of children globally.
Chantel was recently a Research Assistant on a multi-disciplinary SSHRC-funded project focused on experiences of women who have had sexual interactions (ranging from consensual relationships to sexual violence and trafficking) with United Nations peacekeepers deployed as part of the MINUSTAH mission in Haiti. She recently completed my Master’s thesis on this topic which analyzes United Nation’s policies on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) perpetrated by UN peacekeepers. Her work develops innovative and comprehensive policies to address the situation of SEA against women and girls in Haiti where she did fieldwork in May 2019.
Besides academics, Chantel is trained in Muay Thai Kickboxing, acting/dramatic arts, and dance.
Areas of Expertise: International development, gender and politics
WMD non-proliferation; dual-use items trade controls; European security
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda is a postdoctoral researcher at ESADE's Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics, ESADEGeo, and her current research focuses on non-proliferation, strategic trade controls, European security and the role of international peace and security as a global public good. Her PhD thesis at the University of Barcelona focused on the international legal regime of dual-use goods and how it relates to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Throughout her career Dr. Sánchez Cobaleda has been a visiting researcher at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of the University of Leiden, the KU Leuven, the University of Geneva, the University of Amsterdam, and the Council of Europe. Previously she worked as a lawyer in the private sector and at the UN Development Program’s Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2019 she is one of WIIS (Women in International Security) Next Generation Fellows.
Twitter https://twitter.com/anasancob
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-s%C3%A1nchez-cobaleda/
Areas of Expertise: WMD non-proliferation; dual-use items trade controls; European security
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Ana Sánchez Cobaleda is a postdoctoral researcher at ESADE's Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics, ESADEGeo, and her current research focuses on non-proliferation, strategic trade controls, European security and the role of international peace and security as a global public good. Her PhD thesis at the University of Barcelona focused on the international legal regime of dual-use goods and how it relates to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Throughout her career Dr. Sánchez Cobaleda has been a visiting researcher at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of the University of Leiden, the KU Leuven, the University of Geneva, the University of Amsterdam, and the Council of Europe. Previously she worked as a lawyer in the private sector and at the UN Development Program’s Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2019 she is one of WIIS (Women in International Security) Next Generation Fellows.
Twitter https://twitter.com/anasancob
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-s%C3%A1nchez-cobaleda/
Areas of Expertise: WMD non-proliferation; dual-use items trade controls; European security
Merve Erdilmen
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Merve Erdilmen is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Merve is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Science with Gender Studies Specialization at McGill University and a research associate at GLOBALCIT at the European University Institute, Florence. Her research has been supported by Mitacs Globalink, Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship, and Local Engagement Refugee Research Network. Her areas of research are gender and migration policies, international practices of refugee regime, and humanitarian development initiatives in the Middle East. Merve holds an MA in Political Science at McGill University and studied philosophy and sociology at the Middle East Technical University and Sciences Po Paris for her undergraduate studies.
Merve has articles under review and forthcoming focusing on immigrant regimes and rights (forthcoming at Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies). Merve's work on localization of humanitarian action, durable solutions for refugees, and birthright citizenship trends in EU has been also published as reports. Merve has also worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Areas of Expertise: Forced migration, gender, migration policies
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Merve Erdilmen is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Merve is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Science with Gender Studies Specialization at McGill University and a research associate at GLOBALCIT at the European University Institute, Florence. Her research has been supported by Mitacs Globalink, Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship, and Local Engagement Refugee Research Network. Her areas of research are gender and migration policies, international practices of refugee regime, and humanitarian development initiatives in the Middle East. Merve holds an MA in Political Science at McGill University and studied philosophy and sociology at the Middle East Technical University and Sciences Po Paris for her undergraduate studies.
Merve has articles under review and forthcoming focusing on immigrant regimes and rights (forthcoming at Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies). Merve's work on localization of humanitarian action, durable solutions for refugees, and birthright citizenship trends in EU has been also published as reports. Merve has also worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Areas of Expertise: Forced migration, gender, migration policies
Dallin Van Leuven
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dallin Van Leuven is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dallin Van Leuven is a Programme Manager at the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Valetta, Malta. Before that, Van Leuven worked for Search for Common Ground (Search), for over four years focusing on the peacebuilding organization’s countering violent extremism (CVE) portfolio. He researched the drivers of radicalization across the Middle East, led the creation of Search’s CVE guide and training curriculum, and advised on the UN Women-funded research project “Women and Violent Radicalization in Jordan.” Van Leuven is also a Board Member of the Center for Progressive Security, a non-profit organization encouraging gender analysis in terrorism prevention and response. Van Leuven has co-authored a number of research studies, including Search’s “Youth and Contentious Politics in Lebanon: Drivers of Marginalization and Radicalization in Tripoli,” and the United Nations Development Programme’s “Kosovo-Wide Assessment of Perceptions of Radicalisation at the Community Level.” He also authored a book chapter on ISIL’s unprecedented use of gendered strategies to recruit foreign men and women, which was published in Foreign Fighters under International Law and Beyond. Van Leuven is a native of the state of Idaho in the United States and currently resides in Valetta, Malta.
Areas of Expertise: Countering violent extremism, peacebuilding, and gender
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dallin Van Leuven is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dallin Van Leuven is a Programme Manager at the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law in Valetta, Malta. Before that, Van Leuven worked for Search for Common Ground (Search), for over four years focusing on the peacebuilding organization’s countering violent extremism (CVE) portfolio. He researched the drivers of radicalization across the Middle East, led the creation of Search’s CVE guide and training curriculum, and advised on the UN Women-funded research project “Women and Violent Radicalization in Jordan.” Van Leuven is also a Board Member of the Center for Progressive Security, a non-profit organization encouraging gender analysis in terrorism prevention and response. Van Leuven has co-authored a number of research studies, including Search’s “Youth and Contentious Politics in Lebanon: Drivers of Marginalization and Radicalization in Tripoli,” and the United Nations Development Programme’s “Kosovo-Wide Assessment of Perceptions of Radicalisation at the Community Level.” He also authored a book chapter on ISIL’s unprecedented use of gendered strategies to recruit foreign men and women, which was published in Foreign Fighters under International Law and Beyond. Van Leuven is a native of the state of Idaho in the United States and currently resides in Valetta, Malta.
Areas of Expertise: Countering violent extremism, peacebuilding, and gender
Çağlayan Başer
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Çağlayan Başer is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Çağlayan Başer is an instructor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and a PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on questions related to political violence and gender and combines insights from both interpretive and positivist literature in Political Science. Her dissertation examines how the operation of rebel groups is shaped by gendered dynamics and uses statistical analyses of observational and experimental data as well as qualitative case studies based on primary sources. Her research is published in World Politics. She has been teaching courses on gender and security, social justice, race and ethnicity, and international relations.
Areas of Expertise: International Relations, Conflict, Gender
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Çağlayan Başer is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Çağlayan Başer is an instructor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and a PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on questions related to political violence and gender and combines insights from both interpretive and positivist literature in Political Science. Her dissertation examines how the operation of rebel groups is shaped by gendered dynamics and uses statistical analyses of observational and experimental data as well as qualitative case studies based on primary sources. Her research is published in World Politics. She has been teaching courses on gender and security, social justice, race and ethnicity, and international relations.
Areas of Expertise: International Relations, Conflict, Gender
Farnush Ghaderi
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Farnush Ghaderi is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Farnush Ghadery is a Visiting Lecturer and PhD Candidate at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London. Her research finds itself at the intersection of feminist theory and international law and sets out ‘transnational legal feminism’ as an approach to conducting cross-border feminist research and practice that surpasses the hegemony of Western epistemology and discourse. As part of that, she examines the implementation of the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ agenda in Afghanistan with a particular focus on the differing approaches to women’s rights promotion taken by international actors and local civil society. She teaches Transnational Law, Transnational Legal Feminism, and Public International Law at King’s College London. Farnush further works with the human rights organisation Global Legal Action Network and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Transnational Law Institute. Her publications can be found here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2721445
Areas of Expertise: Feminist Legal Theory, International Human Rights Law, Peace and Conflict Studies
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Farnush Ghaderi is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Farnush Ghadery is a Visiting Lecturer and PhD Candidate at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London. Her research finds itself at the intersection of feminist theory and international law and sets out ‘transnational legal feminism’ as an approach to conducting cross-border feminist research and practice that surpasses the hegemony of Western epistemology and discourse. As part of that, she examines the implementation of the ‘Women, Peace and Security’ agenda in Afghanistan with a particular focus on the differing approaches to women’s rights promotion taken by international actors and local civil society. She teaches Transnational Law, Transnational Legal Feminism, and Public International Law at King’s College London. Farnush further works with the human rights organisation Global Legal Action Network and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Transnational Law Institute. Her publications can be found here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=2721445
Areas of Expertise: Feminist Legal Theory, International Human Rights Law, Peace and Conflict Studies
Monica Mendez
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Monica is a global security analyst.
As government official, she had analyzed and worked on Security Sector Reform in Mexico, as well as on international comparative analyses of empirical examples to foster institutional strength of justice and security agencies in Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Spain, and the United States.
Her practitioner experience and research interests focus on foresight, strategic planning and policy design for legitimacy-building of security-related institutions in democratic environments, and gender equality for peace and development.
Ms. Mendez holds a MAS in International and European Security from the University of Geneva and the GCSP, a MBA in Top Management from IPADE Business School and a BA in Political Science from ITAM. She is also an alumna of the GCSP through its flagship Leadership in International Security Course, as well as the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the Near East South Asia Center For Strategic Studies. In 2019 Monica joined WIIS (Women in International Security) Next Generation Fellows.
Areas of Expertise: Security policy, Security Sector Reform/Governance, Foresight for policy making
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Monica is a global security analyst.
As government official, she had analyzed and worked on Security Sector Reform in Mexico, as well as on international comparative analyses of empirical examples to foster institutional strength of justice and security agencies in Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Spain, and the United States.
Her practitioner experience and research interests focus on foresight, strategic planning and policy design for legitimacy-building of security-related institutions in democratic environments, and gender equality for peace and development.
Ms. Mendez holds a MAS in International and European Security from the University of Geneva and the GCSP, a MBA in Top Management from IPADE Business School and a BA in Political Science from ITAM. She is also an alumna of the GCSP through its flagship Leadership in International Security Course, as well as the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, and the Near East South Asia Center For Strategic Studies. In 2019 Monica joined WIIS (Women in International Security) Next Generation Fellows.
Areas of Expertise: Security policy, Security Sector Reform/Governance, Foresight for policy making
Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli teaches comparative politics and international relations of the Middle East and is a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre. Her research focuses on the association between the rise of nation-states in the Middle East and the perpetuation of militarism, despotism and fundamentalism, and analyzing militarism in the Arab context not only as an institution used by the state, but also as an ideology that perpetuates masculinity and gender bias. Rahaf is a Lecturer at Lancaster University teaching Modern Middle Eastern History, based at the Centre for Cultural History of War. She is currently working on a book: Constructing the Syrian Nation: Politics, Ideology and Gender.
Areas of Expertise: Middle East politics, Syria crisis, masculinism
Board Member and Sr. Researcher
Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli is a Board Member and Sr. Researcher at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Dr. Rahaf Aldoughli teaches comparative politics and international relations of the Middle East and is a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre. Her research focuses on the association between the rise of nation-states in the Middle East and the perpetuation of militarism, despotism and fundamentalism, and analyzing militarism in the Arab context not only as an institution used by the state, but also as an ideology that perpetuates masculinity and gender bias. Rahaf is a Lecturer at Lancaster University teaching Modern Middle Eastern History, based at the Centre for Cultural History of War. She is currently working on a book: Constructing the Syrian Nation: Politics, Ideology and Gender.
Areas of Expertise: Middle East politics, Syria crisis, masculinism
Smita Singh
Board Member and Outreach/Engagement
Smita Singh is a Board Member and oversees Outreach and Engagement at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Smita has more than five years of teaching and research experience in the field of Political Science and International Relations. She is a doctoral candidate at the Diplomacy and Disarmament Division, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Previously, she held the position of an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science in Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. After completing her graduation in Political Science, Smita completed her Masters in Politics (with specialization in International Relations) and M.Phil from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has been awarded a Senior Research Fellowship in both International Relations and Political Science from the University Grants Commission, India. She has taught various courses at the under graduate and post graduate levels which inter alia includes Twentieth Century World History & International Politics; Human Rights, Gender & Environment; Reading Gandhi; and Citizenship in a Globalizing world. Her research interest lies in the areas of foreign policy analysis, comparative government, strategic and nuclear policy, and gender politics.
Areas of Expertise: Foreign & Security Policy, Arms Control & Non-proliferation, Gender Politics
Board Member and Outreach/Engagement
Smita Singh is a Board Member and oversees Outreach and Engagement at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Smita has more than five years of teaching and research experience in the field of Political Science and International Relations. She is a doctoral candidate at the Diplomacy and Disarmament Division, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Previously, she held the position of an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science in Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. After completing her graduation in Political Science, Smita completed her Masters in Politics (with specialization in International Relations) and M.Phil from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has been awarded a Senior Research Fellowship in both International Relations and Political Science from the University Grants Commission, India. She has taught various courses at the under graduate and post graduate levels which inter alia includes Twentieth Century World History & International Politics; Human Rights, Gender & Environment; Reading Gandhi; and Citizenship in a Globalizing world. Her research interest lies in the areas of foreign policy analysis, comparative government, strategic and nuclear policy, and gender politics.
Areas of Expertise: Foreign & Security Policy, Arms Control & Non-proliferation, Gender Politics
Nazifa Alizada
Board Member and Outreach/Engagement
Nazifa Alizada is a Board Member and oversees Outreach and Engagement at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Nazifa Alizada has taken various leadership, management and administrative roles in the public and private sectors in Sweden, South Korea, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. In all these roles, she used her knowledge, experiences, and skills as effective tools to fulfil her long-standing vision of making the world a more egalitarian and inclusive place for all and wishes to continue doing so in the future. Nazifa has an analytical mind and enjoys writing and research.
Board Member and Outreach/Engagement
Nazifa Alizada is a Board Member and oversees Outreach and Engagement at the Security, Gender & Development Institute.
Nazifa Alizada has taken various leadership, management and administrative roles in the public and private sectors in Sweden, South Korea, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. In all these roles, she used her knowledge, experiences, and skills as effective tools to fulfil her long-standing vision of making the world a more egalitarian and inclusive place for all and wishes to continue doing so in the future. Nazifa has an analytical mind and enjoys writing and research.
Zohra Abdullah
Researcher
Zohra Abdullah is Researcher at Security, Gender, & Development Institute.
Zohra is a student of International Human Rights Law with an interest in issues of gender, migration and animal rights. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science with an elective in economics. She is the former editor of the Political Science blog of her university.
She has previously worked at various international organizations, including the European Parliament and the United Nations. In 2019, she completed the UN Graduate Study Program and attended various conferences including the 35th session of the UNHRC Universal Periodic Review and the Sporting Chance Forum. Recently, she completed a UNITAR training workshop on Business and Human Rights and looks forward to implementing her learnings.
Areas of Expertise: Afghanistan, Human Rights Law, Animal Rights
Researcher
Zohra Abdullah is Researcher at Security, Gender, & Development Institute.
Zohra is a student of International Human Rights Law with an interest in issues of gender, migration and animal rights. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science with an elective in economics. She is the former editor of the Political Science blog of her university.
She has previously worked at various international organizations, including the European Parliament and the United Nations. In 2019, she completed the UN Graduate Study Program and attended various conferences including the 35th session of the UNHRC Universal Periodic Review and the Sporting Chance Forum. Recently, she completed a UNITAR training workshop on Business and Human Rights and looks forward to implementing her learnings.
Areas of Expertise: Afghanistan, Human Rights Law, Animal Rights