Sahla Aroussi

Dr. Sahla Aroussi is an Associate Professor in Gender and Global Security Challenges at the University of Leeds' School of Politics and International Studies. She also serves as Deputy Director of the Leeds Social Sciences Institute. Her expertise spans gender, violence, and international security, with a focus on UN Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security), transitional justice, and women's participation in peacebuilding. She holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Ulster, an LLM in Transitional Justice, and an MA in Human Rights. Her interdisciplinary research employs innovative methods like body mapping and co-creative approaches.

Education:

• PhD in Politics, University of Ulster (2011)
• LLM, Transitional Justice Institute, University of Ulster (2007)
• MA in Human Rights, University of Malta/Utrecht University (2004)

Research Interests: Dr. Aroussi investigates gender-based violence, peace agreements, and the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Recent projects include studying resistance to violent extremism in Kenya (funded by the British Academy) and exploring gender justice in conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo. She emphasizes participatory methodologies and decolonial approaches.

Grants and Projects:

• INCLUDE Project (AHRC-funded): Co-creation methods for GBV research in South Africa
• UN Women Consultancy (2021): Women, Peace, and Security in the Middle East/North Africa
• UN ESCWA Project (2019–2020): Women in Arab State judiciaries

Advising: Supervises PhD students researching gender in conflict zones, hybrid peacebuilding in Somalia, and women's agency in urban agriculture.

Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary collaborations on arts-based peacebuilding and global networks addressing gender and violent extremism.