Dr Jess Gifkins

Overview

I have worked at the University of Manchester since 2017, having previously worked at universities in the UK and in Australia. My research is on global governance in relation to questions of peace and security. I study decision-making practices within the United Nations Security Council, and have published research on the international response to crises in Darfur, Libya and Syria. I am also interested in debates on the responsibility to protect (R2P). 

I have published articles on international responses to crises in Libya, Syria and Darfur, in the European Journal of International Relations, Cooperation and Conflict, Global Responsibility to Protect, the Australian Journal of International Affairs, the British Journal of Politics and International Relations, International Affairs, and Global Change, Peace & Conflict, as well as chapters in books on R2P, the United Nations and Genocide, and Civilian Protection.  

Professor Jason Ralph and I were awarded a prize for 'Best article in the European Journal of International Relations' in 2017 for our article 'The Purpose of United Nations Security Council Practice'.

For more detail see my personal website. 

My current research projects are:

1) The role and reputation of the UK in the United Nations after Brexit

This project is a collaboration between myself, Professor Jason Ralph (University of Leeds) and Dr Samuel Jarvis (Univeristy of Southampton) and is funded by the British Academy under the 'Tackling the UK's International Challenges' scheme. 

2) The practice of legitimacy in UN Security Council decision-making

3) Consensus decision-making in the UN Security Council

Teaching:

I convene 'The United Nations Security Council in Practice' at 3rd year level

I convene 'The United Nations and International Security' at MA level

I contribute to modules 'Questions about International Politics' at 2nd year; and 'The Politics of (In)Security' at 2nd year. 

I am the Pathway Convenor for the MA in International Relations.

I welcome applications from prospective PhD students on: global governance; the United Nations system; practices; and the Responsibility to Protect.