This growing body of work seeks to understand the drivers of engagement with armed groups and to identify moments to prevent engagement, promote reintegration into families, and ultimately advance peace and security.

Within this nascent area, I have conducted qualitative research to understand the push and pull factors of engagement with armed groups in Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Now, colleagues and I are aiming to test the effectiveness of approaches that help prevent engagement.

Check out:

• Blackwell,… Falb (2023). Drivers of ‘voluntary’ recruitment and challenges for families with adolescents engaged with armed groups: qualitative insights from the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo. PLOS Global Public Hea