GSDRC’s researchers synthesise the latest evidence and expert thinking on governance, social development, humanitarian and conflict issues to inform policy and practice. They produce Topic Guides, Literature Reviews, Conflict Analyses and rapid-response Helpdesk Research Reports for a range of agencies, and undertake consultancy projects.
William Avis
William joined GSDRC at the University of Birmingham in 2015 from the Overseas Development Institute. He spent four years with ODI in various research roles, most recently with the growth, poverty and inequality team. Among his publications are The data revolution: finding the missing millions, and Towards a better life? A cautionary tale of progress in Ahmedabad. William’s research interests include identity and conflict, globalisation and political voice. His PhD examined constructions of Assamese identity in post-independence India (University of Sheffield).
Email: W.R.Avis
bham.ac.uk
Becky Carter
Becky joined GSDRC at the Institute of Development Studies in 2012. She has worked on aid evaluations and reviews as a consultant for aid agencies and other organisations, and within the World Bank. Current research interests include scaling up inclusive change approaches that involve transforming social norms. She holds an MA in Latin American Area Studies from the University of London. For further details, see Becky’s IDS staff profile.
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 915 787; Email: r.carterids.ac.uk
Siân Herbert
Siân is a political scientist and international relations graduate of the FLACSO Argentina and University of San Andrés (Masters), and the University of Southampton (BSc Hons). She has extensive experience writing about international development and security policies and practices at the University of Birmingham, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Open Europe. Her recent work has focused on: the politics of aid; development and security policies (especially EU, UK and Australian policy in middle-income countries and in conflict contexts); conflict analysis; state-building; and gender inequality.
Email: S.Herbertbham.ac.uk
Iffat Idris
Iffat joined GSDRC at the University of Birmingham in 2016, having spent 10 years as an independent consultant for international development organisations, including the UN System and the World Bank. Iffat lived in Pakistan for fourteen years, where her work focused on governance, disaster management, conflict analysis and capacity development. She promotes the right to information as co-chair of the South Asia Transparency Advisory Group. Iffat holds a PhD in political science from the University of Hull; her thesis on ethnic conflict in Kashmir was published by Oxford University Press.
Email: i.idrisbham.ac.uk
Zenobia Ismail
Zenobia specialises in studying institutions, party politics and elections. She has prior experience as a researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesbur, the Afrobarometer research programme based at Idasa, and the Community Agency for Social Enquiry, and also a lecturer at the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand.
Email: z.ismail
bham.ac.uk
See also: University of Birmingham staff profile
Brigitte Rohwerder
Brigitte joined GSDRC at the Institute of Development Studies in 2013. Previously, she worked as a researcher for the Post-War Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU) on evaluations for DFID, UNICEF and the Government of Afghanistan. She has also worked on issues related to disability inclusion, education, refugee return, disaster preparation and response. She holds an MA in Post War Recovery Studies from the University of York.
Tel: +44 (0) 127 3915787
Email: b.rohwerderids.ac.uk
See also: IDS staff profile
Brian Lucas (manager)
Brian is a project manager specialising in knowledge management and information technology solutions for international development and environmental issues. He has experience as a manager, communicator, and educator in the public, private, and NGO sectors. Brian has led the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) since 2005. Previous posts include managing the information services unit at GRID-Arendal , a United Nations Environment Programme collaborating centre; knowledge manager for the Learning Network on Capacity Development; lecturer in development management at the University of Agder; Director and manager at the Global Change Game environment and development education NGO; and Director and Vice-president Publishing, Internet Solutions, Inc., an Internet service provider and web site publishing company. He holds a MSc in Management of Non-Governmental Organisations from London School of Economics.
Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 5037; Email: briangsdrc.org
