Fiona is the Research Director at Justice + Security in Transitions (J+ST), focusing on applied research and programming on justice, security and peacebuilding in conflict, post-conflict and transitional environments. She has returned to the role following two mandates as arms expert on the UN Security Council Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic from 2020-2021, and Panel coordinator from June 2021. Fiona is also a non-resident fellow with UN University Conflict Prevention and Sustaining Peace Pillar.

Fiona previously served as Country Representative in Central African Republic for the United States Institute of Peace, following four years with the Institute’s Rule of Law Center. She has worked at the Stimson Center where her research focused on police, justice, and corrections reform work in UN peace operations. She has also held roles with the International Policy Division at the Irish Department of Justice, Independent Diplomat in New York, Lawyers Without Borders in Liberia, and the International Stability Operations Association in Washington, DC. In addition to rule of law work, Fiona has served as an international election observer for the Carter Center in South Sudan and for Progressio and UCL in Somaliland.

Originally from Ireland, Fiona is now based in Paris. She holds an LL.M. from Columbia University in New York City, an M.A. in Conflict, Security, and Development from King’s College in London, and a law degree from University College Dublin in Ireland.