Walt Kilroy

Dr Walt Kilroy is an Assistant Professor at Dublin City University's School of Law and Government and Co-Director of the Institute. His research spans development, conflict, peacekeeping, civilian protection, peacebuilding, and social capital, with a focus on post-conflict reintegration in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, and South Sudan. He received the Basil Chubb Prize (2012) and National Science and Technology Journalism Award (Television Category).

• Education: BA in Psychology (University College Dublin), MA in International Relations (Dublin City University), Postgraduate in Journalism

His work examines UN peacekeeping operations, DDR programs, and hybrid protection mechanisms. He coordinated the €1 million PESTUGE project to advance peace studies education in Georgia and conducted fieldwork in conflict zones.

Key publications include a 2015 monograph on participatory DDR and studies on social capital in Liberia (2018), UNMISS operations in South Sudan (2018), and contemporary protection of civilians frameworks (2021-2024). His recent articles (2023-2024) analyze hybrid protection strategies and institutionalized emergency response systems.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Basil Chubb Prize (2012)
  • National Science and Technology Journalism Award (Television Category)
• Projects:
  • Coordinated €1 million PESTUGE project (2015-2018)

He previously worked as a journalist (Deputy Foreign Editor, RTE) and development practitioner in Sudan's Darfur conflict (Trócaire, 2004-06). His methodological approach combines qualitative fieldwork, surveys, and focus groups.