Dr. Yvan Ilunga

Areas of Expertise

• Peace operations, humanitarian action and legitimacy, international security, natural resources-based conflicts
• African politics, governance and security, United States-Africa cooperation
• Civil-military interactions

Education

• B.A. in international relations, University of Lubumbashi (2007)
• B.A. in developmental studies, University of the Western Cape (2012)
• M.A. in social development, University of Cape Town, (2013)
• M.S. in global affairs, Rutgers University (2017)
• Ph.D. in global affairs, Rutgers University (2019)

View My CV

What's My Why?

I am passionate about seeing the world transformed by the power of knowledge. I approach my academic scholarship and life from theory to practice and vice versa. The field of international relations can only make sense when concepts, policies and practices interact continuously. I explore how questions such as those related to institutional peace and stability cannot be separate from the peace in the heart and mind of each citizen. In addition to my academic pursuits, I enjoy writing poems, traveling, listening to music and reflecting on and discussing the role of Christianity in modern world politics.

Media Coverage

BBC, France24, CGTN Africa, Voice of America, Newzroom Afrika

Selected Publication

Ilunga, Yvan Y. (2020). Humanitarianism and Security: Trouble and Hope at the Heart of Africa. Palgrave McMillan Inc.