About Us

The Research on International Policy Implementation Lab (RIPIL) is based at American University. Founded in 2020, RIPIL investigates pressing topics in international peace, security, development, and humanitarian response with the aim of translating scholarly research into real policy solutions. RIPIL is an affiliate of Bridging the Gap.

We welcome inquiries regarding collaboration and partnerships. Please contact us at RIPIL@american.edu.

Our Research Model

At RIPIL we understand that effective international policy requires the integration of evidence from the local to the global level.

We also understand that policymakers and practitioners working in uncertain environments must regularly adapt policy and practice to the evolving needs of communities, civil society, governments, and intergovernmental institutions.

Finally, we believe that co-creation, or “the joint production of innovation between combinations of industry, research, government and civil society,” can help us to design and conduct more relevant and impactful research.

With these principles in mind, our model of co-creation centers on building partnerships with policymakers and practitioners to:

  • Identify important research questions,

  • Conduct rigorous research on these questions, and

  • Engage partners throughout the research process.

By building space for research co-creation, learning, and evidence-informed decision-making, RIPIL helps to ensure that its research contributes to scholarly knowledge and improved policy and practice.

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Meet the Team

Leadership

  • Lindsay Kurlak Barclay

    PROJECT MANAGER, Hidden Costs of Security & State Department SEAL Partnership

  • Susanna Campbell

    DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

  • Madeline Faye Fleishman

    PROJECT MANAGER, Networks of Influence

  • Abrehet Gebremedhin

    PROJECT MANAGER, Receiving or Rejecting Aid

  • Christina Harris

    PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Joe Young

    ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Collaborators

  • Yolande Bouka

    Queen's University, Whose Peace?

  • Jessica Maves Braithwaite

    University of Arizona, Networks of Influence & Whose Peace?

  • Caroline Brandt

    Uppsala University, Gendered Effects of UN Peacebuilding

  • Travis Curtice

    Drexel University, Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

  • Karsten Donnay

    University of Zurich, Changing Nature of Aid

  • Laura Huber

    University of Mississippi, Gendered Effects of UN Peacebuilding

  • Hilary Matfess

    University of Denver, Aiding People

  • Azza Mustafa

    University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Whose Peace?

  • Guillaume Ndayikengurutse

    University of Burundi, Whose Peace?

  • ‘Dapo Oyewole

    Dignity Collective, Changing Nature of Aid

  • Andrea Ruggeri

    University of Oxford, Peace Operation Data

  • Santiago Sosa Noreña

    Universidad EAFIT, Whose Peace?

  • Aaron Stanley

    Wilson Center, RIPIL-LPI Partnership

  • Haley Swedlund

    Radboud University, Changing Nature of Aid

  • Rob Williams

    Washington University in St. Louis, Networks of Influence

Senior Research Fellows

  • Rachel A. George

    Duke University, BTG–RIPIL Co-Creation Fellowship

  • Alex Maxwell

    American University, RIPIL-LPI Global Evidence Fellowship

  • Michelle Sieff

    American University, Translating Research into Action Center

  • Hatem Zayed

    American University, Networks of Influence & Whose Peace?

  • Pauline Zerla

    King’s College London, BTG–RIPIL Co-Creation Fellowship

Research Fellows

  • Eric Baran

    American University, Networks of Influence

  • Lindsay Kurlak Barclay

    American University, Hidden Costs of Security & State Department SEAL Partnership

  • Cecilia Cavero-Sanchez

    Pennsylvania State University, Networks of Influence

  • Madeline Faye Fleishman

    University of Maryland, College Park, Networks of Influence

  • Abrehet Gebremedhin

    American University, Changing Nature of Aid & Receiving or Rejecting Aid

  • Christina Harris

    American University, Peace Operation Data & RIPIL-LPI Partnership & Whose Peace?

We would like to extend a special thanks to our former student team members and fellows

Research Fellows

Ozan Ahmet Cetin, Networks of Influence

Grace Benson, Peace Operation Data

Ester Brito, Translating Research into Action Center

Alex Bruens, Networks of Influence

James Bryan, Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

Chris Campbell, Translating Research into Action Center

Shagun Gupta, Networks of Influence & Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

Nancy Kim, Networks of Influence

Evigenija Kroeker, Peace Operation Data

Maline Meiske (postdoc), Peace Operation Data

Anastassiya Perevezentseva, Receiving or Rejecting Aid

Julie Radomski, Whose Peace?

Noah Rosen, Networks of Influence

Ariana Schmidt, Networks of Influence

Marko Mavrovic, Networks of Influence & Whose Peace?

Mashal Shabbir, Peace Operation Data & Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

Hoa Vo, Translating Research into Action Center

Lily Wojtowicz, Aiding People

Seray Yalaz, Networks of Influence

Hatem Zayed, Networks of Influence & Whose Peace?

Research Assistants

Patrick Alexander, Networks of Influence

Shevonna Ansah, Communications

Isabella Berkeley, Networks of Influence

Minta Caune, Networks of Influence

Mayra Cuevas, Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

Elisabeth Davis, Networks of Influence

Grace Dehner, Networks of Influence

Alessandra Evangelista, Networks of Influence

Marie Fares, Aiding People & Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts

Kevin Farmer, Networks of Influence

Angelina Freeman, Networks of Influence

Thomas Goldstein, Networks of Influence

Sy Hargis, Networks of Influence

Allison Hastings-Wottowa, Networks of Influence

Felicity Hector-Bruder, Networks of Influence

Merissa Joju, Networks of Influence

Chloe Kenny, Networks of Influence

Jessica Kenny, Networks of Influence

Melia Klingler, Networks of Influence

Tamara Listenberg, Networks of Influence

Kelsey Maddox, Changing Nature of Aid

Lausanne Miller, Networks of Influence

Emily Neuner, Networks of Influence

Madison Shomaker, Communications

Priscilla Sopitan, Networks of Influence

Helen Souki, Networks of Influence

Barbara Taylor, Networks of Influence

Katherine Valbuena, Networks of Influence

Melissa Viana, Networks of Influence

Edwin Wachira, Networks of Influence

Kylie Wilson, Peacebuilding in Challenging Contexts