Lisa Schirch

Lisa Schirch is the Richard G. Starmann, Sr. Professor of the Practice of Peace Studies at the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame. She is a core faculty member of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Senior Research Fellow at the Toda Peace Institute. Schirch has 30 years of experience in peacebuilding research, policy advocacy, and teaching.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Resolution (1989) from George Mason University's Carter Center

Schirch's research focuses on technology's role in conflict and peacebuilding, including social media impacts on polarization, digital peacebuilding, and human security. Her work bridges nonviolent action with peace process design, particularly in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Fiji.

Notable Contributions:

• Author of 11 books, including The Tech-tonic Shift (2021)
• Co-founder of PeaceTech and Social Cohesion frameworks
• Policy advisor for Rockefeller Brothers Fund and US State Department
• Trained over 1,000 US Foreign Service Officers on civil-military relations

Scientific Recognition:

• Fulbright Fellow (East/West Africa)
• Co-chair of US State Department working group on Religious Actors and Peacebuilding (2015-2016)
• Member of Dutch government's Security and Rule of Law Platform (2016-2020)
• Expert on Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (2015-present)

As a practitioner, Schirch has facilitated dialogue in 20+ countries, including intergroup dialogues in Richmond, Virginia and Afghanistan. Her teaching includes courses on Strategic Peacebuilding and Digital Peacebuilding at Notre Dame and Eastern Mennonite University. Schirch's work spans UN, Pentagon, and Chatham House platforms.