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”.