Ian Russell

Dr. Ian Russell is a Lecturer in African Studies and International Development at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. His research focuses on education, knowledge institutions, conflict, and development, with a particular emphasis on post-conflict societies, refugee access to education, and decolonial thought. He leads the Interrogating Africa’s Inherited Borders and Identities project and collaborates with UNHCR on refugee higher education. His work also explores vaccination ceasefires and metrics in global education policy.

He holds expertise in methodologies such as semi-structured interviews and qualitative research, addressing themes like peacebuilding, economic relations, and the governance of knowledge systems. Russell’s recent publications analyze universities in conflict zones (Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka), African-feminist approaches to education, and vaccination ceasefires during crises.

His research has been supported by projects like the METRO initiative on global metrological fields. He supervises PhD students on topics including decolonization in academia, education in conflict, and refugee rights. Russell advocates for critical pedagogy and student development, offering guidance for courses like the MSc Data, Inequality and Society.