I am a seasoned scholar and policy adviser with over two decades experience working on and in conflict-affected, fragile and transitional settings. My focus lies in understanding these contexts and how processes of peacebuilding and transformative social change unfold and can be better nurtured. I am based in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I am an Associate Professor at the School of Governance in the University of Witwatersrand, and I direct a research and policy dialogue project on Forging Resilient Social Contracts. I proudly co-founded the internationally peer reviewed Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, and I regularly collaborate with the United Nations and other international organisations, conducting research and evaluation, and facilitating strategic, policy-relevant processes and trainings. This brings a strong evidenced based and practically grounded orientation to my scholarly work.