Irma Specht

Irma Specht holds an MA in Cultural Anthropology from Utrecht University and is currently finalizing her PhD on the cultural dimensions of reintegration processes for adult and child combatants. She began her career as a staff member at the International Labour Organization, where she was based in Dakar in a regional role covering the entire African continent, focusing on the reintegration of ex-combatants. She is the founder and director of Transition International, an international consultancy firm.

For the past 20 years, she has consulted for a wide variety of international organizations and governments, conducted research, and provided training and advisory services. Her main research interests and experience are in conflict-affected areas throughout Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Central African Republic, Libya, and South Sudan.

Recent publications:

Specht, I. (2023). Innovations to DDR to address the Identity-Based Violent Conflicts and Stabilise Combatants of Central African Republic. In Bangura, ed., Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in Africa, Routledge.

Specht, I. (2023). Release and reintegration of the children of the White Army of South Sudan: Cultural Realities versus DDR Programming. In: Bangura, ed., Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in Africa, Routledge.