In this conversation, Dr Liam O’Shea examines one of the most overlooked challenges in security sector reform: the collusion between security forces, organised crime, and political elites. Drawing on research from Colombia, Georgia, and South Africa, the discussion explores why these dynamics persist, what has enabled reform in some contexts, and what this means for international support. The conversation highlights the need to move beyond technical fixes and confront the political realities at the heart of reform.

We speak to Moataz Ghaddar and Hannah Johnson from Global Partners Governance about their research and the Winning with Women project which supports women candidates in Lebanon. The conversation explores how the project combines monitoring and capacity-building for women with deliberate engagement of male allies i.e. influential family, community and political figures who can help open doors, mobilise networks and challenge norms that keep politics male-dominated. The discussion highlighted why addressing power, gatekeeping and social norms is essential for creating more inclusive local governance, offering useful lessons for the TWP community.

Rachel shares her thoughts on the current state of democratic politics around the world and shares ideas about how to respond to democratic backsliding in different contexts

Drawing on over a decade of work as an adviser working on conflict and governance with FCDO and her current role as the Senior Expert and Technical Lead on Environmental Governance and Conflict with WWF International, Micol Martini shares her trajectory on using TWP in her work, including some of the opportunities and challenges of instilling a politically aware lens in conservation work and conflict affected contexts.

In our featured interview, we speak with Ronnie Ojwang, Country Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) in Kenya, who shares with us some of the work that NIMD and partners are doing to encourage young people to participate more fully in the Kenyan political system, especially at a time of heightened tensions and growing disillusionment with how democracy is working.

In our featured interview, we speak to Marta Ruedas, who served over 30 years in the United Nations, gaining extensive experience in coordinating United Nations development and humanitarian work in conflict and post-conflict countries, as well as supporting peacebuilding transitions. Marta shares her experiences in thinking and working politically over the years.

In our featured interview, we speak to Marta Ruedas, who served over 30 years in the United Nations, gaining extensive experience in coordinating United Nations development and humanitarian work in conflict and post-conflict countries, as well as supporting peacebuilding transitions. Marta shares her experiences in thinking and working politically over the years.

Judith Kent and Kate Whyte, who were both at FCDO until very recently, share their insights and wisdom as fellow travellers in the TWP journey, drawing on their 5+ decades of collective experience working on foreign affairs, conflict and international development.

Ashley is the co-founder and co-director of the Centre on Armed Groups, an organisation that supports research on and engagement with armed groups. In this conversation, she tells us about her experiences and challenges in working in contexts under the control of armed groups. Ashley highlights how the Centre finds politically smart pathways to engagement in order to understand the perspectives the different players within these challenging contexts.

In this conversation, Alina chats to Greg Power’s about his recent book, Inside the Political Mind: The Human side of Politics, and How it Shapes Development which explores how social norms, public expectations and the personal interests of Members of Parliament influence the path of political development. The book draws on Greg’s experience of working with political leaders in more than sixty countries.