Dr. Emma Birikorang

Dr. Emma Birikorang is the Deputy Director at the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). Prior to joining the KAIPTC, she was a Researcher with the African Security Sector Network from September 2002 to March 2005 supporting the training of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior and co-authoring the first small arms and light weapons baseline study on Ghana. Emma has previously consulted for the African Union and the ECOWAS in the development of the African Standby Force. She also consulted for ECOWAS and developed the Action Plans for the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework 2018-2022. At KAIPTC, she lectures on the Master of Arts Programmes in Conflict, Peace and Security, leading the course on Gender, Security Sector Governance and Peace Operations. She is the head of research programmes and leads the knowledge management and production of KAIPTC research.

Emma has consulted for the African Union, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the Bertelsman Stiftung (BTI). She is the lead expert on the UNDP Transitions Project study on the role of regional organisations in UN peacekeeping transitions. She has authored articles, policy briefs and book chapters on protection of civilians, intelligence, women peace and security, youth in peacebuilding in Africa, violent extremism and terrorism, conflict-related sexual violence and maritime security. Her current interest includes climate change impact on peace and security in West Africa, and the roles of females in the maritime sector. She is an adjunct lecturer at Webster University, Ghana lecturing on Humanitarian Issues in International Politics, and at Rhodes University, South Africa, lecturing on African Politics.

Emma has a PhD in Politics and International Studies from the School of Oriental and Africa Studies (SOAS), University of London and an MA in International Politics and Security Studies from the University of Bradford. She graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana with a BA (Social Science) Degree in French and English, and a Diplôme Universitaire d’Etude du Français from the Universite d’Abomey Calavi (Benin). She was also awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Security Sector Management from Cranfield University, UK.