Jennifer Dathan

Jennifer joined ARU in September 2020 as a PhD student on the Vice Chancellor’s Studentship ‘Investigating the resilience potential of heritage in response to climate change-related conflict in UK-based Syrian refugees’. The project is focused on understanding how heritage can enhance adaptation in response to climate change, conflict and migration.

Background

After completing her MA, Jennifer interned at the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Following this, Jennifer started in the role of researcher at Action on Armed Violence, where she worked for more than four years. Her research there focused on civilian harm from conflict, including cultural, health and environmental impacts. In this role she collected data for the Explosive Violence Monitor and conducted research with health and humanitarian professionals, refugees and others impacted by, or addressing the impacts of, conflict. She also presented research findings for the organisation at conferences and other events.

Research interests

• The relationship between climate change, conflict and migration
• The role of heritage in resilience and adaptation
• Storytelling research methods

Qualifications

BA International Relations and English Literature, Keele University (2011-2014)
MA Human Rights, Globalisation and Justice, Keele University (2014-2015)

Selected recent publications

AOAV, 2021. A Decade of Explosive Violence Harm [Online].

AOAV, 2021. Explosive Violence Monitor 2020 [Online].

Dathan, J., 2020. The Environmental Afterlives of Sri Lanka’s Civil War. Jamhoor, November 18th 2020 [Online].

Overton, I., Dathan J., 2019. Syria in 2020: the deadly legacy of explosive violence and its impact on infrastructure and health. Forum on the Arms Trade, December 17th 2019, [Online]

Dathan, J., 2019. Explosive weapons in Syria: the lasting harm to the environment. FairPlanet, January 24th 2019 [Online].

Dathan, J., 2018. The Effects of ERW Contamination in Sri Lanka. Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, 22(3) [Online].

Dathan, J., 2018. The long-term effects of explosive violence. Crisis Response Journal, 13(3) [Online].

Dathan, J., 2017. Refugees fleeing explosive violence: Europe’s response. Crisis Response Journal, 13(1) [Online].

Dathan, J., 2016. A review of international, regional and bilateral initiatives that aim to provide counter-IED assistance. Global threat, global response: A review of the global impact of Improvised Explosive Devices, AOAV and the French Ministry of Defence.

Recent presentations and conferences

Dathan, J. 2021. The environmental impacts from the use of explosive weapons. Presentation on AOAV data and research at a webinar organised by CEOBS and Norwegian People’s Aid, ‘The Environmental Impacts of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas’, online.

Dathan, J. 2019. The reverberating health impacts from explosive weapon use. Presentation on AOAV data and research at the International Blast Injury Research Network’s conference, ‘Examining the State of Research’, in Cape Town. 

Dathan, J. 2017. Latest AOAV data on IEDs. Presentation at First Committee side-event organised by UNMAS, “Countering the Threat of IEDs: Strengthening Capacities and Stabilizing Communities” in the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Dathan, J. 2017. The refugee explosion. Paper presentation at MEDACT’s Health Through Peace conference for the panel ‘Health and the Migrant/Refugee Crisis’, in York.