Research

Current research involves international development policy and aid effectiveness in fragile and conflict-affected spaces, through the lens of social capital and network theory.

Exploring the cases of Afghanistan and Pakistan through an enhanced understanding of the social capital-aid effectiveness-fragility nexus, my primary interest is to examine how material and/or non-material exchanges among social/organizational networks of donor agencies and recipient organizations help or hinder potential aid-delivery processes in fragile and conflict-afflicted environments. This doctoral research explores the conditions in which development policy networks can successfully and sustainably impact vulnerable, rural, and conflict areas within Pakistan and Afghanistan. The methodological and theoretical framework can be translatable to other similar contexts.

Integrating a conceptual and methodological framework of social capital theory, social network analysis, and qualitative comparative analysis, my research analyzes stakeholder relationships within active rural development programs based in conflict-affected areas. Targeted zones of interest within fragile states are those classified as “ungoverned spaces.” The research will determine whether inherent structural properties translated from global development networks create limitations for sustainable locally-owned development processes and outcomes.