Silvia Danielak

I am a researcher and PhD candidate at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), where I study socio-spatial planning in the context of conflicts, disaster risk, and post-conflict/post-disaster reconstruction. I am particularly interested in infrastructure and technology in conflict settings and as part of peace efforts, as well as its coalition with climate and environmental efforts. My work has been published in various academic and non-academic outlets, including the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, International Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, or Disasters. Field research into questions of infrastructure, shelter and displacement have led me to South Africa, Morocco and Montserrat.

I have more than eight years of professional experience in international development, working on governance and conflict prevention across Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Prior to coming to MIT, I served as conflict prevention advisor to the African Union Border Programme, based in Addis Ababa, and worked on peace infrastructures and mediation in Kyrgyzstan. I occasionally serve as a consultant in areas such as conflict sensitive development, urban planning, and climate adaptation in conflict zones.

I hold a Master in Design Studies, Risk and Resilience from Harvard University, a MA in Security Studies from the Sciences Po Paris, and a BA in European Studies from Maastricht University.

I have taught at both graduate and undergraduate levels at MIT and Harvard, as principal instructor as well as teaching assistant. I advised and mentored both undergraduate and graduate students.

Research

My dissertation investigates how the idea of peace is pursued in practice, and how peace itself – as idea and practice – is subject to change. Focusing on UN peace operations’ involvement in urban planning, I document how over time ideas about peace have evolved, just as the very practices of pursuing peace, the technologies, policies and knowledge, have changed. I am also involved in a variety of research projects exploring the role of climate change and disaster risk in conflict and peacebuilding efforts, with a special focus on urban areas and urbanization dynamics.

My research has been supported by the US Institute for Peace through the USIP-Minerva Peace and Security Scholarship, the MIT Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center, the MIT Center for International Studies, the MIT DUSP Rodwin Travel grant, the Harvard Center for African Studies, and the Harvard Program on Negotiation, among others.

Education

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
• Harvard University - Master in Design Studies, Risk and Resilience
• Sciences Po - MA Affaires Internationales, Sécurité Internationale
• The Fletcher School at Tufts University - non-degree programme (exchange semester), conflict studies, negotiation, leadership
• Maastricht University - BA European Studies

Companies

• Research Assistant 'Planning for Peace' Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2020)
• USIP-Minerva Peace and Security Scholar United States Institute of Peace (2020 — 2021)
• Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2021 — 2021)
• Research Fellow CDA Collaborative Learning Projects (2020 — 2020)
• Teaching Assistant Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2019 — 2019)
• Research Associate Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2017 — 2018)
• Project Manager/Conflict Prevention Advisor, 'Support to the African Union Border Programme' Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (2014 — 2016)
• Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (2013 — 2014)
• Research Fellow, BCPR Conflict Prevention Team UNDP (2012 — 2012)