My doctoral research examines the drivers and consequences of violence against UN peacekeepers, why armed actors target peacekeeping missions, and how such violence shapes mission effectiveness, local security, and conflict outcomes. I am supervised by Professor Ismene Gizelis and Dr Sara Polo, and I was recognised as a Conflict Research Society Emerging Scholar in 2026.
Alongside my PhD, I have worked as a Research Assistant on several projects, including the ERC-selected Peacekeeping Dividends project, where I contribute to semi-automated event coding of UN reports, hard-to-obtain subnational data collection, and fieldwork coordination in the DRC and South Sudan. More on my research assistant roles below.
Khalifa, Fareeda, Iain Overton, and Niamh Gillen. “IED Civilian Harm, Humanitarian Funding Gaps, and the Role of Media Coverage.” Under review, International Review of the Red Cross, special issue on “Addressing the Human Cost of Weapons: Past, Present and Future.”
Dissertation papers:
“The Practice of Peacekeeping: Examining Drivers of Violence against Peacekeepers.”
“Beyond Casualties: How Peacekeeper Targeting Affects Mission Effectiveness.”
“Local Security Consequences of Violence against Peacekeepers.”
Collaborative projects:
Khalifa, Fareeda, David Pivonka, Lydia Karga, Geraldine Bustos-Zamora, Ismene Gizelis, and Han Dorussen. “Semi-automated Text Analysis of UN Peacekeeping Event Data.”
Gizelis, Ismene, Fareeda Khalifa, Han Dorussen, Prabin Khadka, and Lydia Karga. “Taxation, Bureaucratic Capacity, and Peacekeeping Outcomes: Evidence from the DRC.”
Gizelis, Ismene, Han Dorussen, Fareeda Khalifa, Nihad Aboud, Geraldine Bustos-Zamora, and Lydia Karga. “Impacts of Peacekeeping on Multidimensional Development.”
Gizelis, Ismene, Fareeda Khalifa, and Iain Overton (2025). “Written Evidence to the Women, Peace and Security Inquiry.” International Development Committee, UK Parliament.
Iversen, Thor Olav, and Fareeda Khalifa (2023). “Knowledge Gaps in the Nexus of Climate, Peace and Security.” Policy Paper, Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) & Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI).
Khalifa, Fareeda, and Ingi Rashed (2023). “Operationalizing Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) in Africa: Integrating Displacement within Peacebuilding Efforts.” Policy Brief, CCCPA.
Hany, Darin, and Fareeda Khalifa (2023). “Perspectives on Pathways for Peace: 5 Years of Prevention.” Chair’s Summary, CCCPA.
Khalifa, Fareeda, and Ismene Gizelis (2024). “Explosive Inequalities: The Gendered Impact of Arms Transfers and Violence.” Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).
Khalifa, Fareeda (2024). “A Year of Conflict: Patterns of Violence and the Humanitarian Impact in Gaza.” AOAV.
Khalifa, Fareeda (2024). “Comparing Explosive Violence Patterns in the Horn of Africa and Sahel.” AOAV.
Khalifa, Fareeda (2022) ‘Limits of Applying Gender Frameworks in Foreign Policy’, International Politics, Vol. 227, Annex on Theoretical Directions in Analysing International Politics, pp.17‑20. (in Arabic)
Research Assistant, Peacekeeping Dividends and Post-conflict Development (Dividends) ERC Project, PI: Professor Ismene Gizelis, University of Essex (November 2024 - present)
Machine-learning event coding of UN Secretary-General reports, subnational data collection on taxation and development in peacekeeping host countries, Bayesian modelling of development outcomes, and fieldwork coordination in the DRC and South Sudan.
Research Assistant, North Africa Migration and Development (NAMAD) Project, PI: Dr. Miranda Simon (September 2025 - March 2026)
Quantitative analysis of migrant and host-population survey data from Egypt and Algeria to inform IOM programme evaluation.
Research Assistant - Translation, Multilingualism, Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities of Linguistic Practice and Policy (MCCRAfrica) Project (July - August 2025)
Arabic translation of interview and focus group protocols for fieldwork in Uganda.
Research Assistant to Professor Han Dorussen and Dr. Prabin Khadka (February - April 2024)
Research on peacekeeping incidents and patrols in the DRC, including interactive maps of peacekeeping bases and event data.