Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen

Research and Policy Officer

Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen is a Research and Policy Officer at ORG’s Remote Warfare Programme. She supports the team’s research on changes in military engagement, as well as their work with Parliament and policy-makers. Her research interests include international security, armed groups, and sub-national conflict analysis. She also produces ORG's Westminster Round-Up series.

Megan graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations from Royal Holloway, University of London, and is currently undertaking a part-time Masters in Conflict Studies at the London School of Economics.

Before joining the RWP, she co-founded and led The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network, a social enterprise focused on supporting refugees in the UK to become self-sustained through entrepreneurialism. She also worked as Lead Researcher and Script Writer on a UNHCR project to develop educational material for children, and has worked with European labour unions to conduct extensive research into the challenges facing young Palestinian workers.

Latest publications

Trump administration’s move away from transparency may undermine US military operations, The Strategist, May 2019
The spotlight is on UK Special Forces, whether the Government likes it or not, Agora, May 2019.
SAS Injured in Syria: Shouldn’t We Understand What Went Wrong?, International Review, January 2019
‘Light Footprint’ Operations Keep US Troops in the Dark, Defence One, November 2018
When are we at War?, openDemocracy, September 2018
The UK Should Learn from the Transgressions of Australian Special Forces, Small Wars Journal, September 2018
The Cost of Intelligence Sharing and the Value of Transparency, July 2018
The True Cost of Special Forces? July 2018
Out from the shadows: the case for external oversight of UK Special Forces, April 2018

Westminster round-up

Read the briefings.

Contact details

Latest

Westminster Round-Up | March 2020

Liam Walpole and Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen discuss the latest defence and security policy developments in UK politics.
Special Podcast | 5 Years into the War in Yemen – Debunking 5 Myths

Marwa Baabbad is joined by the Middle East Institute's Nadwa Al-Dawsari and Fatima Abo Alasrar to debunk five popular myths about the conflict in Yemen.
ORG Explains #13: UK Defence Reviews

This Explainer will explore what the Integrated Review is, why it is being done and what it might contain.
Austerity in the Age of COVID-19: A Match Made in Hell?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been described as the biggest crisis facing the world since the end of the Second World War. The pandemic has raised serious questions about whether the political and economic systems in many states can deal with a crisis of this nature.

Catherine Roe

Chief Executive
Priti Sesha

Director, Finance and Operations
Mike King

Head of Fundraising
Marwa Baabbad

Head of International Projects
Abigail Watson

Research Manager
Liam Walpole

Policy Manager
Alasdair McKay

Senior Editor
Alexander Scott

Projects Manager
Stefan Cramer

Projects Officer
Aaron Bermange

Intern

The Role of Youth in Peacebuilding: Challenges and Opportunities

Young people are frequently ‘othered’ in discussions about conflict. This is a dangerous practice as youths can play a very positive role aiding peacebuilding in societies recovering from conflict.
Making Bad Economies: The Poverty of Mexican Drug Cartels

Some stories say that local economies benefit from cartels in Mexico. But research suggests that the areas most plagued by drug-related violence have seriously suffered economically.
ORG's Vision

Oxford Research Group (ORG) is an independent organisation that has been influential for for nearly four decades in pioneering new, more strategic approaches to security and peacebuilding. Based in London since 2006, ORG continues to pursue cutting edge research and advocacy in the United Kingdom and abroad while managing innovative peacebuilding projects in several Middle Eastern countries.
Remote Warfare: Lessons Learned from Contemporary Theatres

This report is a first attempt to identify some of the factors that have helped or hindered the UK’s current approach to remote warfare.
Weavers of Peace: The Higaonon Tribe in the Philippines

The Higaonon, an indigenous tribe in Northern Mindanao in the southern Philippines, have preserved an ancient system of conflict resolution which has enabled them to be a truly peaceful community. However, there is a need to ensure that this knowledge is not lost in the future.
The Cyprus Problem: Why Solve a Comfortable Conflict?

Several diplomatic efforts have been made both domestically and internationally to enhance peaceful unity since the start of the Cyprus Problem. Despite the shortcomings of past efforts, it is still desirable not only to resolve the issue, but also to do so in a timely manner.
Why Does UN Humanitarian Intervention Remain Selective?

Over the past two decades, the United Nations Security Council has responded more strongly to some humanitarian crises than to others. This variation in Security Council action raises the important question of what factors motivate United Nations intervention.
The Politics of Coltan: An Interview with Michael Nest

In this interview, Dr. Michael Nest discusses the political, environmental, ethical and social issues surrounding the mining of columbite–tantalite (coltan).
The UK and UN Peace Operations: A Case for Greater Engagement

This report supports an enhanced role for Britain in UN peace operations and sets out a case for greater engagement.
The Expanding Role of Chinese Peacekeeping in Africa

China's increased involvement in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping in Africa reflects a broader trend of the country taking a more proactive approach to foreign policy.