Paul Musiol, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Middle East Unit,, Class of 2011

I took the M.Phil in International Peace Studies in 2010-11, looking to better understand the issues and factors involved in peace and conflict and in international and inter-communal relations. The classes are balanced and really reinforce each other, with a good mix of the conceptual and the practical, supplemented by excellent guest speakers and field trips. What I particularly liked was that the course gave me a significant amount of freedom to determine what I wanted to focus on and what methods to use. Lectures and seminars were stimulating, friendly and informal and would send me away eager to discover more, whether that was in the library or by having a chat with the other students. The coursework was engaging and challenging and the mix of backgrounds and perspectives among the students was invigorating. We learned how to approach and understand complex issues such as conflict dynamics, international institutions, and the links between peace, development and human rights.

With the help of the ISE, I undertook an internship in a non-governmental organisation working in multilateral disarmament in Geneva while I was writing my dissertation. This was an almost immeasurably worthwhile experience, and one which I wouldn't have had a chance to do were it not for this course. That internship led me on to more NGO work in Geneva and eventually to my current role, in the Middle East Unit of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In all my professional roles so far, the grounding I gained from this course has been a huge help, and I'd strongly recommend it for anyone who wants to better understand and engage with some of the most critical issues in the world today.

Heidi Riley, Class of 2012/13

I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship at Front Line Defenders, arranged by International Peace Studies, during my MPhil. Front Line is a fantastic organization that does vital work for the security and protection of Human Rights Defenders. Apart from this it is a very welcoming office with brilliant staff. I have particularly enjoyed it because I was not treated just as an intern but as a member of staff. All the projects I have worked on while being there have been been very interesting and I have at no time been expected to carryout menial tasks often associated with internships.

I began my internship writing reports on some of the security grants from 2011 and 2012, this was part of a campaigns project to highlight the work of Front Line Defenders.Secondly I did some work for the EU office updating the database on some of the EU advocacy work. Finally I started working in the events department. This included working on a project called Cycle for Protection, which was an advocacy and promotions cycle around Ireland. This took place alongside a national speakers tour. Speakers events took place in each cycle stop town with Front Line Executive Director Mary Lawlor and human rights defenders from Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation.I am now working on 'Voices from the Front Line' a music and theatre and event at Vicar Street Theatre. I began by working on booking acts and have now been kept on as technical coordinator for the event.

Augostine Edan Ekeno, Class of 2012

The MPhil program in International Peace Studies offered me the opportunity to understand, examine and reflect deeply issues behind the lack of order in the world. The broad expertise of ISE lecturers, the excellent academic program coupled with the diverse experiences brought in by students from all over the world molds global citizens charged with a desire to set the world on a fire-of-peace. It is such fire that has guided me through in my current work of peace-building in Kenya, particularly now that the country is marching towards the March 2012 general election. Using the wisdom brewed in ISE, I hope to join other peacemakers to prevent a repeat of the post-election violence that rocked Kenya in 2007/2008 that claimed over 1300 lives and left hundreds of thousands displaced in various parts of the country.

Timothy Roschke, Private Security Contracting, Liberia

“I have been working for a private security contracting company supported by the US State Department. I have spent two years now in Liberia, recruiting, vetting the new Armed Forces of Liberia. My department tests the applicants’ credibility, criminal history, professional history and background with respect to human rights violations. I have also been teaching the civics portion of the training curriculum-which includes human rights, laws of armed conflict, Liberian civics, rule of law, peace-building and mediation…my own personal fascination with peace-building, peacekeeping and laws of armed conflict-which was nurtured in MPhil in International Peace Studies has made an insightful contribution”

Arely Miranda Gonzalez, Department of Peace-Keeping Operations, UN New York

“I am working as a consultant in the Department f Peace-Keeping Operations in the United Nations in New York. I’m in a section called Integrated Training Service which is in charge of redeployment, induction and civilian training of civilians going to peace-keeping missions. It’s really interesting, particularly because of the interaction between the military, civilian and peace staff in the team. My MPhil in Peace Studies definitely helped me explore my academic interests and now allows me to follow the professional path I want”

Prerna Humpal, Amnesty International

Having completed an internship with Amnesty International Ireland, I will soon start work on an Amnesty International campaign to end female genital mutilation in Europe. The course has given me a strong foundation in international politics, human rights and development framed within the discourse of peace studies. Having written a paper on culture of human rights, I now try to implement it by applying a human rights based approach in my work. Furthermore, the mediation summer school provided me with a basic practical guide to coping with conflict which I use in my personal and professional life.

Eimear Friel, Desk Officer, International Security Policy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland

"I have been working as a junior diplomat since completing the M. Phil in International Peace Studies in 2007.  I have worked on two policy desks in headquarters and will be sent on my first posting in September. My work when I first started dealt primarily with Irish involvement in peace support operations through European and UN structures.  My current responsibility is working on the Conflict Resolution Initiative, with a focus on women's role in peacemaking.  I use the knowledge and skills that I gained in ISE on a daily basis.  The course has given me a solid foundation for my work, both in terms of analytical and productive skills and in understanding the dynamics of issues related to peace theory and international relations”.