Susanne Jaspars is a self-employed and a research Associate at SOAS University of London.
Why am I running:
I joined the IHSA board at the last conference in Addis Ababa (2 years ago). Since then, I have supported the IHSA in developing a new vision and governance structure and in starting to implement the activities envisioned. I would like to continue to support the development and growth of IHSA. Even though I only joined the board 2 years ago, I have participated in 3 of the 4 previous conferences. My 30 years' experience as a practitioner and researcher mean I understand the interests and motivations of a range of organisations and institutions involved in humanitarian action and studies and have a wide and varied professional network. My own focus has been the social and political dynamics of food security and livelihoods in famine, conflict and disaster situations, working first for NGOs and UN agencies, and later at ODI’s Humanitarian Policy Group (ODI) and now SOAS. I am therefore in a good position to support the association in providing a forum for practitioners and researchers, in convening meetings and conferences, and in identifying research issues and disseminating knowledge, as well as promoting and expanding its activities and membership.