Ulster scholar joins Jolie on humanitarian A-list

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Brandon Hamber, director of Ulster’s International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE), has been selected as one of the top 100 most influential people in armed violence reduction by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) – a body which works locally, nationally, regionally and globally to reduce, and ultimately prevent, armed violence.

Professor Hamber is a conflict transformation researcher and practitioner who has worked in South Africa, Northern Ireland, Liberia, Mozambique, the Basque country and Sierra Leone, among other countries. He has written extensively on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the psychological implications of political violence, trauma and the process of transition and reconciliation in South Africa and in Northern Ireland.

Besides A-List actors, Professor Hamber joins on the list other illustrious names, such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan and business magnate and philanthropist George Soros.

The AOAV cited Professor Hamber as one of the 100 people who have dedicated their lives to making the world safer and who are outstanding examples of those trying to change the world for the better. He was chosen for his contribution to peace building.

“I was surprised to find that I had been named on the list, particularly in light of the achievements of the other nominees. It is a real honour,” he said.

“Of course I cannot separate out the recognition of my work over the years from the colleagues and organisations I have worked with, most notably in recent years colleagues at INCORE at the University of Ulster, who have been pioneering peace work here and globally for the last 20 years.”

john.elmes@tsleducation.com