Meet our new trainee – Zander
My name is Zander Willoughby, and I am a recent master’s graduate from the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. Over autumn and winter 2025–2026, I will join the Åland Islands Peace Institute as a research trainee through the Erasmus+ programme. My research has focused on the gendered aspects—especially masculinity norms—of climate change and communal violence, as well as unarmed civilian protection, strategic nonviolence, and demilitarisation. I have previously worked with Search for Common Ground on ConnexUs, as well as with Nonviolent Peaceforce, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, and the Manchester University Peace Studies Institute. Since questions of autonomy frequently arise in peace negotiations, I look forward to deepening my understanding of the Åland example to inform my future work and research in peacebuilding—while also taking the opportunity to improve my Swedish during my stay.