Emily Gee

Profile

My PhD research explores why peacekeeper-perpetrated sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) happens during peacekeeping operations, despite a strong and decisive response from the United Nations. The project uses a feminist lens to identify driving norms, practices, and structures which help to create environments in which SEA committed by peacekeepers may persist. I will be creating a holistic socioecological framework as a tool to map out and synthesise the interconnected drivers as they exist across peacekeeping operations.

I began my PhD at the University of Leeds in October 2022. Previously, I studied at the University of Sheffield, where I obtained a BA (with Honours) in History (2019) and an MA (with Distinction) in Politics and International Relations (2020). During my MA, I specialised in feminist security studies with my thesis focusing on genocidal rape in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1992-95) and subsequent security measures enacted by the United Nations.

My research is self-funded through my part-time work as a research assistant for the Gender Institute at Royal Holloway, University of London.

I am currently a postgraduate researcher representative for POLIS and the Security, Conflict and Justice Pathway representative for the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership.

Research interests

My research interests related to my PhD project are:

• Peacekeeper Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• Feminist IR & Feminist Security Studies
• Gender at the United Nations

Qualifications

• MA Politics and International Relations
• BA (Hons) History

Research groups and institutes

• European Centre for Responsibility to Protect
• Centre for Global Security Challenges