Dr. Pushpa Iyer, Director

Pushpa Iyer has over 20 years of experience in the field of conflict studies. She specializes in identity conflicts, non-state armed groups, civil wars, peace processes, and peacebuilding in post-war societies. Her current research interests are: non-state armed groups, challenges to peacebuilding, and gendered security in the US military. Pushpa is a long-term activist and advocate for the poor and marginalised communities in Gujarat, India. She has consulted and conducted research in several countries in South and Southeast Asia as well as in Africa. 

Currently, Pushpa is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Policy and Management at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Pushpa also has a degree in law from Gujarat University, India and an MBA in International Management from the University of East London, UK.

Pushpa is the founding Director of the Centre for Conflict Studies and is the Editor-in-Chief for the centre’s publications.