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.
Nahreen I. Khan, PhD
Co-Lead
Dr. Nahreen I. Khan is a human geographer with more than 18 years of research, teaching and policy formulation experience in Bangladesh and Germany.
Felix Haas
Advisor/Consultant
Felix Haas is a dedicated and experienced independent consultant and researcher based in Myanmar.
Md. Jakariya, PhD
Advisor and facilitator
Prof. Jakariya specializes in Human Geography, Environmental Risk Assessment, Climate Change Adaptation, Migration and GIS. He has wide range of experience in project development and management related issues.
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.