Shirley Graham

Dr. Shirley Graham serves as Associate Professor of Practice in International Affairs at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and Research Fellow at Dublin City University. She directs the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) and Global Gender Policy Program, focusing on gender, women's rights, security, peace, and reconciliation within international policy frameworks.

Her academic credentials include a PhD from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (2013) examining gender discourses in Irish peacekeeping through the thesis 'Equal but Different: Gender Discourses in the Social Relations of Irish Peacekeepers & Possibilities for Transformation', and a Master's in International Affairs from Dublin City University (2004). She was awarded the Government of Ireland Scholarship (IRCHSS) for doctoral research.

Graham's research critically analyzes gender-power dynamics in security institutions, with pioneering work on LGBTQAI+ inclusion in Women, Peace and Security (WPS) frameworks, historical trauma, and strategies for engaging men/boys in ending violence against women. Her leadership in the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on WPS drives policy innovation through initiatives like the D.C. Student Consortium on WPS, which now mobilizes over 200 students across U.S. agencies.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on institutional resistance to gender integration in military contexts, particularly within Irish and U.S. security structures, with growing emphasis on reproductive rights implications following the overturning of Roe v. Wade through her cross-disciplinary GW Reproductive Freedom seminar series.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Government of Ireland Scholar (IRCHSS)

As an educator, Graham teaches graduate courses in Global Gender Policy and Gender, War & Peace, plus undergraduate Women and Global Politics. She has mentored extensive student networks through the WPS Consortium while advising governmental bodies including Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs Monitoring Group (2013-2014) and the Glencree Centre for Peace & Reconciliation's Women's Leadership Programme (2014-2017).

Graham leads multiple collaborative initiatives including the Hanna’s House All-Ireland Feminist Peace Project (2008-2012), civil society consultations for Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 (2010-2011), and the GW Reproductive Freedom seminar series uniting public health, law, and medical experts across GWU campuses.