Our Team
Kawser Ahmed, PhD
Project Lead
He is an educator and researcher in peace and conflict studies who has in-depth understanding of social conflict and its peaceful transformation.
Imtiaz Ahmed, PhD
Co-Lead
Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed was born in Barisal, Bangladesh, and is Professor of International Relations and Director, Centre for Genocide Studies at the University of Dhaka.
Felix Haas
Advisor/Consultant
Felix Haas is a dedicated and experienced independent consultant and researcher based in Myanmar.
David G. Newman
Advisor and facilitator
David G. Newman, KC, has long been recognized for his impactful contributions to global causes, with much of his most notable work rooted in his association with Rotary District 5550 (D5550).
Ernest M. Thiessen, PEng, PhD
Smartsettle Group
Dr. Thiessen is President of iCan Systems Inc., which is the developer of the Smartsettle eNegotiation system.
Md. Humaun Kabir
chief coordinator
Md. Humaun Kabir is an experienced research professional currently serving as Research Manager at the Centre for Alternatives (CA) since April 2023. He previously held positions of increasing responsibility at the Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS), University of Dhaka, from 2016 to 2023, progressing from Research Data Analyst to Research Manager. He holds a Bachelors and Master of Social Science in Mass Communication & Journalism from the University of Dhaka, a Post Graduate Diploma in Genocide Studies, and completed the Young Leaders Neighbourhood-First Fellowship Programme at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. With extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, he has contributed to multiple research projects focused on violent extremism, peace monitoring, and social issues in Bangladesh. Kabir is proficient in various data analysis tools including SPSS, Tableau, and Power BI, and has co-authored several publications on topics ranging from the Rohingya crisis to extremism trends in Bangladesh. His expertise includes data management, visualization, research coordination, programme and communication, and team leadership.
María Cristina
core member
María Cristina Cifuentes is an international peacebuilding specialist and climate policy negotiator from Colombia. With a background in International Relations and Security Studies, she is a Rotary Peace Fellow alumna from the University of Bradford (UK) and currently serves as a lead advisor at the Colombian Ministry of Environment, where she coordinates the country’s national approach on Just Transition under the UNFCCC. María Cristina is the creator of the Peace Progress Analytical Framework, a multidimensional tool to guide negotiation and peacebuilding processes in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Her framework integrates international metrics of positive peace, human security, and transformative governance, offering strategic guidance for systemic change. She has applied this model in both national public policy and international simulation platforms, including Smartsettle’s peace negotiation scenarios. Her work bridges climate action, peacebuilding, and multilateral negotiation. She has been recognized as a Rotary “People of Action – Champion of Peace” and actively contributes to global dialogues on conflict resolution, transitional justice, and resilience in the face of socio-environmental crises.
Wae Win Khaing
Advisors
Wae Win Khaing is a PhD Candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Dried Fish Matters Partnership Grant. Her research examines the relationship between historical changes and Myanmar migration since 1980, and how migration affects people's involvement in dried fish value chains from a gender-oriented social wellbeing perspective. With a Master of Education in Educational Management and Leadership from the University of Sydney (Australia Awards Scholar) and a Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Studies from East Yangon University, Wae Win brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her anthropological research. Her professional experience spans social and governance research, education, and human resource management across diverse organisations, including corporate, social enterprise, and non-governmental organisations. Her commitment to community development is evident through her volunteer work with migrant learning centres in Thailand, facilitation of workshops on social research, career planning, and employability for youth in Myanmar, as well as her consultancy work for Myanmar civil society organisations. Wae Win's research interests include gender in social and feminist research, fisheries, migration, and social wellbeing, with a particular focus on how dried fish contributes to migration, cultural and gender identity, social wellbeing, and livelihood opportunities for migrant communities.
Dr. Sai Kyi Zin Soe
Advisors
Dr Sai Kyi Zin Soe is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He is a senior consultant at the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), dedicated to assisting Myanmar migrants in Thailand. Additionally, he has provided technical advice to the Karenni State Interim Parliament (KSIP). Moreover, he also serves as a consultant for the Myanmar Women with Disability Network and a technical advisor for the Myanmar Coordination Initiatives for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Dr. Soe earned his PhD from the University of Sydney, completing his thesis in 2019 on the topic of "Influence of Donor Aid Policy on Disability Inclusion in Myanmar." He received the Australia Awards Scholarship in 2014 and the Australia Leadership Award in 2014 and 2015. His areas of expertise encompass disability and social inclusion, human rights and minority rights, local governance, and federalism. Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, he has actively conducted various studies, contributing political analysis and commentary to conferences and seminars, as well as to media platforms, and advocating for human rights, inclusion, and federalism.