Professor Harmonie Toros
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Professor in Politics and International Relations
Areas of interest
My research focuses on two main areas: conflict analysis and resolution, particularly in contexts of political violence, and the human experience of war.In conflict analysis, I investigate nonviolent responses to terrorism and political violence and the potential for conflict transformation through negotiations.
I also research whether and how the human experience of war can be included in the International Relations scholarship and the place for autoethnography in the study of war.
Postgraduate supervision
I am interested in supervising projects on political violence, conflict transformation, and experiential knowledge of war and conflict.Background
A former international reporter, I returned to academic in 2003 to investigate the possibility of negotiations with non-state armed groups, primarily linked to al Qaeda. I had reported on political violence in Europe, the Middle East and North America, and was frustrated by the way counter-terrorism policies were designed and implemented. I wanted to see if non-violent approaches could transform these conflicts. My research revealed that in some cases negotiations can transform these conflicts, thus avoiding the high death tolls and destruction caused by many CT policies and practices around the world. I have since advised the United Nations, NATO, and national governments on negotiations with non-state armed groups in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. More recently, I have turned to investigating the potential for negotiations in defence-related cyberattacks.
Prior to joining the University of Reading, I held appointments at the University of Kent, the University of Queensland (Australia) and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand).
Academic qualifications
• Postgraduate Certificate, Higher Education, University of Kent, 2013.• PhD, International Politics, Aberystwyth University, 2010.
• MA, Conflict Resolution, University of Bradford, 2004
• Maîtrise, Histoire, Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), 1995
• BA Honours, Contemporary History, University of Sussex, 1994