Victoria Loughlan

Name
Victoria Loughlan
Organisation
Politics and International Relations, School of Social and Political Science
University of Edinburgh
Address
Edinburgh UK EH8 9LD
Telephone
+44 (0)7774044365
E-Mail
URL
http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/jwi/scaffolding/new_page_root/about/people/loughlan_victoria

Qualifications:

MA (Hons. with Distinction) International Relations and German, University of Aberdeen

MLitt. Peace and Conflict Studies, University of St Andrews (CPCS)

 

Working PhD Title: Making Space for Peace - Using GIS in Peace Operations

 

Research Interests: Peace Operations, Space, GIS, Concepts of Practice

Thesis Abstract: Broadly, my research centres on the role of space in peace operations. I am interested in the question of how space is understood in relation to peace and how this spatial knowledge is produced and managed. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a tool which generates this spatial knowledge, has grown significantly in peace operations over the past ten years. GIS is a spatial mapping technology which allows for the storage, modelling, analysis and representation of geographical data of the post-conflict host country. GIS can display and overlay different themes, showing for example the country's demographics, resource distribution or topography. As such, maps are produced in order to optimize the mission's strategic planning capabilities, enabling the evaluation, management and development of the country. However, this mapping process or spatial knowledge production which delimits the possibility of peace operations is a much neglected aspect within the Peace and Conflict Studies literature. It is this gap my thesis seeks to fill. The project focuses on UN Peace Operations' use and management of GIS technology, engaging with three different sites: The UN Cartographic Section as policy, planning and management site; the UN Logistics Base as training and preparation site; and UN GIS Units in the field (I have so far undertaken field work in Timor-Leste but am looking to engage with another field mission - TBD). Through this research I seek to contribute to the Peace literature by highlighting how GIS is used to a) produce spatial knowledge; b) reveal how this knowledge is practised; and c) illuminate its role in articulating the spatial possibility of peace.

 

Supervisors: Dr Andrew Neal and Dr Richard Freeman

 

Awards (funding and merit):

  • Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Award (2010 -2013)
  • Principal's Teaching Scheme Award Scheme (2012/2013)

 

Teaching Experience:

I co-convene Approaches to Politics and International Relations (2012 and 2013) 

I have also lectured and/or tutored on the following honours courses:

  • International Security
  • Theories of International Relations
  • Approaches to Politics and International Relations

I am the skills coordinator for Introduction to Politics and International Relations (1st year)

I am the senior tutor for the honours dissertation course for Politics and International Relations

I am the post-graduate assistant for first year PhDs in Politics and International Relations 

 

Other Activities:

  • Representative of the Politics and IR subject area to the School of Social and Political Science UG Key Skills Committee 
  • Member of the Undergraduate Teaching Committee for Politics and International Relations
  • Co-coordinator of the Edinburgh International Relations Research Group (2011/2012)
  • Co-coordinator of the Edinburgh Transatlantic Seminar Series (2011)
  • PhD Representative for Politics and IR (2010/2011)
  • Member of the Mapping cluster as part of the ICCM - International Collaboratory in Critical Security Methods (ESRC project funded)

 


This page was published on 17 February 2013


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