The Stimson Center announced today that Aditi Gorur has been promoted to Director of Stimson’s Protecting Civilians in Conflict program. Under Gorur’s leadership, Protecting Civilians in Conflict will build on the Center’s extensive body of work on the protection of civilians in the context of peacekeeping operations, and expand into new issue areas that present complex and evolving protection challenges, such as violent extremism and organized crime.

“Aditi’s work is groundbreaking,” said Stimson President and CEO Brian Finlay. “She has spearheaded some of the Center’s most impactful work — traveling to conflict-affected areas and partnering with local and international stakeholders to better protect civilians from violence. She is a remarkably talented analyst and we are thrilled to have her lead the next chapter of the Center’s innovative work.”   

Gorur — who joined Stimson as a Research Associate in 2012 — has traveled extensively to countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic to develop policy solutions to protect civilian populations from violence. Her recent publications examine the challenges faced by the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the relationship between international efforts to reform security institutions and protect civilians in conflict-affected countries, and the importance of understanding local communities’ perceptions of security. Prior to joining Stimson, Gorur worked with the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, the Asia Foundation, the Center for Liberty in the Middle East, and the Melbourne University Law School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in development studies and Bachelor of Laws with honors from the University of Melbourne, and is a candidate for a Master of Arts in International Security at Georgetown University.

“Stimson sheds light on the dark on-the-ground realities of civilian suffering in conflict-affected regions, identifying pragmatic ways to improve international and regional protection efforts,” said Aditi Gorur. “It’s a real privilege to lead the Center’s innovative work to better protect the world’s most vulnerable from violence.”

The Stimson Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach. Founded in 1989, Stimson builds effective security solutions through pragmatic research and innovative analysis.