Staff
Elvan Isikozlu
Senior Management & Head of Advice and Scientific Transfer
bicc - Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies
Elvan Isikozlu
Senior Management & Head of Advice and Scientific Transfer
Biography
Elvan took on the role of Head of Advice & Scientific Transfer at bicc in 2023 after serving as bicc’s Scientific Officer for Quality Assurance & Organisational Development from 2021 – 2023. She began her professional career in 2001 at the largest non-profit youth organisation in Canada (Junior Achievement) and worked for the Mine Action Unit at Global Affairs Canada prior to coming to bicc in 2006. Elvan earned a Bachelor of Arts & Science (B. Arts & Sci.) from a highly regarded interdisciplinary program at McMaster University, with a combined Major in Political Science and a Minor in Peace Studies (2001). She completed her Master of Arts degree in International Relations at the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) in Ottawa, with a specialty in Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution. Elvan’s work at bicc has involved building capacity for community-level small arms control and conducting research on small arms, DD&R concepts and practice, and wartime sexual violence. She is passionate about translating findings into digestible products for different audiences and making an impact. When she’s not working, Elvan is either creating (food, art) or active with her husband and two boys.
Research profile
Elvan has always been interested in making life better for people who are affected by violent conflict and who live with its consequences. She believes that making these consequences ‘unknowable’ is the first step towards change. She has always been drawn to people and places affected by conflict that don't often feature on the world stage and try to investigate ways to reduce violence and demobilise hearts and minds.
- Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control
- Disarmament, Demobilisation & Reintegration (DDR)
- Wartime Sexual Violence
- Conflict Analysis & Conflict Resolution
Project involvement
Past projects
- Supporting the development and implementation of a civilian SALW training program in West Africa
- Training in small arms control in South Sudan
- Wartime Rape and Post-Conflict Research Project
- Capacity-building on SALW control and DD&R in Southern Sudan
- Analysis on MANPADS
- Interactive Guide on small arms and light weapons (SALW)
- Supporting Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in Africa
- Supporting Weapons and Ammuntion Management Coordination in Africa
From Osiris Portfolio