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Olawale  Ismail

Dr Olawale Ismail

Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Peace & Development Education

Research interests

  • Security
  • Peace, justice & strong institutions (SDG 16)

Biography

Dr Olawale (‘Wale) Ismail is a Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Peace and Development Education at the African Leadership Centre. 'Wale has over 13 years' experience of carrying out research on security and peace building issues and is the substantive Head of Research at International Alert. He holds a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford and an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.

‘Wale is skilled in working at the interface of research, policy and practice, including undertaking policy-relevant research, SWOT analysis, and scoping studies.

He has executed bespoke consultancies services to reputable development cooperation agencies and inter-governmental bodies including the Department for International Development (DFID), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affair, European Union, African Union, Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Community (SADC), etc.

‘Wale previously worked for the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Conflict, Security and Development Group at King’s College London, and the Social Science Research Council in New York. He has published extensively on peace and security issues.

He is a member of the Commonwealth Society, Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin Und Gerd Bucerius Foundation, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), African Security Sector Network, and the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs.

Research

  • Security sector and justice reform
  • Peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction
  • Radicalisation and terrorism
  • Youth, crime and violence
  • Urbanisation
  • Mediation and dialogue in peacebuilding

Further details

See 'Wale's research profile

News

Providing mental health support in peace efforts helps alleviate PTSD and depression

New study shows group counselling and one -on-one peacebuilding activities improve mental health in Nigeria

Children in Nigeria impacted by armed conflict

Events

07MarSilhouette of soldiers army military

African agency and the use of private military and security forces

A roundtable discussion on how African leaders have used foreign military and security forces to advance their political and economic interests.

Please note: this event has passed.

29JunYouth protest, Lagos, Nigeria, October 2020

Youth-led Protest and the Renegotiation of the 'State' in Africa: initial mapping assessment

Dr. Olawale Ismail and Rachel Sittoni discuss youth-led protest and the renegotiation of the 'state' in Africa

Please note: this event has passed.

10JunWWGT Logo

WORLD: we got this | Africa In Focus

Join us for this discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted Africa and its leaders response to its economic, political and cultural challenges.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Leadership and the pathway(s) to peace in Africa: what peace, whose peace and at what price?

ALC researchers share their reflections from the postgraduate conference on 'Leadership and pathways to peace in Africa' held in July 2023.

africa hero

COVID-19 & Africa: Analogue Higher Education, digital generation

‘Wale Ismail looks at the impact of COVID-19 on higher education in Sub Saharan Africa and what it shows about the need for flexible learning and...

university of cape town

News

Providing mental health support in peace efforts helps alleviate PTSD and depression

New study shows group counselling and one -on-one peacebuilding activities improve mental health in Nigeria

Children in Nigeria impacted by armed conflict

Events

07MarSilhouette of soldiers army military

African agency and the use of private military and security forces

A roundtable discussion on how African leaders have used foreign military and security forces to advance their political and economic interests.

Please note: this event has passed.

29JunYouth protest, Lagos, Nigeria, October 2020

Youth-led Protest and the Renegotiation of the 'State' in Africa: initial mapping assessment

Dr. Olawale Ismail and Rachel Sittoni discuss youth-led protest and the renegotiation of the 'state' in Africa

Please note: this event has passed.

10JunWWGT Logo

WORLD: we got this | Africa In Focus

Join us for this discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted Africa and its leaders response to its economic, political and cultural challenges.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Leadership and the pathway(s) to peace in Africa: what peace, whose peace and at what price?

ALC researchers share their reflections from the postgraduate conference on 'Leadership and pathways to peace in Africa' held in July 2023.

africa hero

COVID-19 & Africa: Analogue Higher Education, digital generation

‘Wale Ismail looks at the impact of COVID-19 on higher education in Sub Saharan Africa and what it shows about the need for flexible learning and...

university of cape town