Conflict research & analysis

I have led, managed or coordinated conflict analyses and other peace research in dozens of conflict affected and fragile settings, with 90+ career publications on conflict prevention, several with global policy impacts. Using participatory conflict analysis methodologies, qualitative and quantitative data gathering approaches and political economy approaches I have led research into a wide range of issues, from small arms and armed violence reduction strategies, to research into security provision and public perceptions of safety, to diagnosis of conflict drivers and peacebuilding opportunities. As part of the International Small Arms Control Standards Initiative, I authored the UN’s global guidelines on the development of small arms surveys. In contexts such as South Sudan, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and the Western Balkans I have used conflict analysis to support the development of peace and violence reduction strategies by actors such as the EU, Sweden, a number of national governments as well as non-governmental organisations and networks. I have led programmes of research evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of response strategies in a wide range of stabilisation and prevention contexts and synthesis of specific case studies into cross cutting lessons for actors like the UK, EU and UN Department of Peace Operations.

Expertise and experience:

• Member of the UK Government’s Civilian Stabilisation Group roster as a Conflict Prevention expert

• Provided strategic and operational advice to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency in response to requests to the Saferworld, Bradford University and Stockholm Policy Group helpdesks on peace, human rights, rule of law and conflict sensitivity, including authoring a number of written reports from 2010 onwards

• Attree L, Istrefi A, ‘Regional conflict analysis of the Western Balkans,’ (Saferworld helpdesk task for Sida, December 2021)

• Led Saferworld’s 2013, 2016 and 2020 External Environment Reviews and helped shape its 2014-17, 2017-21 and 2021-2025 Strategic Plans and policy/advocacy strategies

• Report: ‘Conflict analysis to inform MENA strategy,’ (Saferworld helpdesk task for Sida, Jan 2019)

• Project managed and edited report by Jo Crouch: ‘Counter-terror and the logic of violence in Somalia’s civil war: time for a new approach,’ (Saferworld, Dec 2018)

• Project managed and edited) report by David Keen: ‘Syria: Playing into their hands: regime and international roles in fuelling violence and fundamentalism in the Syrian war,’ (Saferworld, 2017)

• Project managed and edited report: ‘We need to talk about Egypt: how brutal counter-terrorism is failing Egypt and its allies,’ (Saferworld, 2017)

• Project managed and edited report by Lola Aliaga & Kloe O’Farrell: ‘Counter-terror in Tunisia: a road paved with good intentions?’ (Saferworld, 2017)

• Report with Thomas Nyagah: ‘Inside Kenya’s war on terror: the case of Lamu,’ (Saferworld, 2017)

• Report with Chris Wakube: ‘Inside Kenya’s war on terror: breaking the cycle of violence in Garissa,’ (Saferworld, 2017)

• Policy brief with Sunil Suri: ‘A new war on terror or a new search for peace: lessons from Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen,’ (Saferworld, 2016)

• Report with David Keen: ‘Dilemmas of counterterror, stabilisation and statebuilding,’ (Saferworld, 2015)

• Policy brief: ‘Addressing conflict and violence from 2015 - Issue Paper 2: What are the key challenges? What works in addressing them?’ (Saferworld, November 2012)

• Policy brief with Lauren Hutton, Ben Stevenson & Paul Murphy: ‘People’s Peacemaking Perspectives - South Sudan,’ (Saferworld, Conciliation Resources, March 2012)

• Article with Sara Skinner & Choul Nhial: ‘A state in crisis: Jonglei’, & L Attree, A Giera, ‘Conflict dynamics and the oil impasse,’ in ‘South Sudan Monitor,’ (Saferworld, February 2012)

• Report Chapter: ‘Sudan and South Sudan,’ in I Campbell, T Wheeler, L Attree, D Butler, B Mariani, ‘China and conflict-affected states: Between principle and pragmatism,’ (Saferworld, January 2012)

• Developed the feasibility study for a UK-funded conflict and governance mapping system for donors and aid agencies working in Somalia

• Report: ‘Drawing boundaries in the Western Balkans: A people's perspective,’ (Saferworld, October 2011)

• Report: 'Sudan: Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst?' (Dec Saferworld, 2010)

• Supported country level efforts to research and consult on small arms and armed violence and develop national response strategies, and developed international small arms survey standards drawing on this

• Practice guide: UN CASA, 'International SALW Control Standards Module 05.10 - SALW Surveys'

• Report with Eleanor Gordon, Sudindra Sharma, Subindra Bogati & Rita Khatiwada: ‘Treading Water - Security and justice in Nepal in 2009,’ (London/Kathmandu, Saferworld, 2010)

• D Hiscock, S Sharma, L Attree et al., ‘On track for improved security? A survey tracking changing perceptions of public safety, security and justice provision in Nepal,’ (London/Kathmandu, Saferworld, 2009)

• Report with Government of Sri Lanka National Commission Against the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms, ‘Survey Report on the prevalence of illicit small arms in Sri Lanka,’ (Colombo, Saferworld/NCAPISA, 2008)

• Report with Irma Specht and Yvonne Kemper: ‘Red Shoes: Experiences of girl-combatants in Liberia,’ (Geneva, International Labour Office, 2006)

• Report with Government of Sri Lanka National Commission Against the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms, ‘Illegal small arms and light weapons pilot survey,’ (Colombo, Saferworld/NCAPISA, 2006)

• Report with PNG Guns Control Committee: ‘Recommendations Consequent to Nationwide Consultations and the PNG Guns Summit,’ (July 2005)

• Report with Paul Holtom, Henry Smith, Bernardo Mariani, Simon Rynn & Juliana Sokolova: ‘Turning the Page: small arms and light weapons in Albania,’ (CPDE/Saferworld, 2005)

• Article: ‘Strategic Analysis Report No 2: Republic of Georgia,’ (Olive Security, Jan 2004)