Professor Donna Pankhurst

Research

Donna Pankhursts main area of research interest is gender issues in conflict and post-conflict settings. Such issues include men's experiences, and issues of masculinity and violence, as well as the post-conflict experiences of women. She is part of a network of scholars who work in these areas. Her research history concentrated more on land issues in Southern Africa (particularly Zimbabwe and Namibia) and post-conflict politics in other countries in East and West Africa. She has also worked with a number of NGOs and international organisations as advisor and consultant. Donna Pankhursts main area of research interest is gender issues in conflict and post-conflict settings. Such issues include men's experiences, and issues of masculinity and violence, as well as the post-conflict experiences of women. She is part of a network of scholars who work in these areas. Her research history concentrated more on land issues in Southern Africa (particularly Zimbabwe and Namibia) and post-conflict politics in other countries in East and West Africa. She has also worked with a number of NGOs and international organisations as advisor and consultant.

Donna is currently developing research on how gender roles and identities change in conflict and post-conflict settings, with a particular focus on attitudes to inter-personal violences. There are three strands to this future work:

1. Ex-Army Servicemen in the UK: The experiences and perceptions of men who have seen active service in the British army and then tried to re-engage in civilian life. 
2. International Policies on Male Ex-Combatants: The policy and methodological lessons from the UK research which can be applied to international organisations and other contexts, particularly in Africa. 
3. Male Ex-Combatants in African Locations: parallel research in African settings with ex-combatants, especially at sites of ‘traditional conflict resolution’ and memorialisation.