University of Gothenburg
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Camilla Orjuela

Professor

School of Global Studies
Telephone
+46 31-786 58 73
Mail
camilla.orjuela@globalstudies.gu.se
Fax
+46 31-786 49 10
Visiting address
Konstepidemins väg 2
41314 Göteborg
Room number
E504b
Postal address
Box 700
40530 Göteborg

About Camilla Orjuela

Research

My research is about how people and societies deal with armed conflict and other types of large-scale violence. I have studied how activists and civil society groups mobilize for peace – during ongoing civil war, in the aftermath of armed conflict or mass atrocities, and in a world where nuclear weapons is once again a threat. I have investigated reconstruction and reconciliation processes after war, genocide and famines, as well as political conflicts and popular engagement around the memory of what happened. One group I have looked at in particular is diasporas. I have been interested in how migrants and subsequent generations play a role in conflict and peacebuilding in a former homeland, how origin states seek to engage new generation diasporans and how diaspora youth support or oppose authoritarian states. How people in the diaspora relate to cultural heritage looted during the colonial era and to the debate about restitution is the focus of an ongoing study. I also currently do research on how foreign policy issues relating to nuclear weapons and genocide recognition are pursued in municipalities and subnational regions.

From having had a strong focus on the case of Sri Lanka, I have in recent years broadened my perspective and often carry out research that is not tied to one specific place. Thus, my research has centered on several contexts in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.

 

Ongoing research projects

Localizing foreign policy? Subnational governments and civil society mobilization to recognize and prevent mass-atrocities 

People, places and plunder: Diasporas and the restitution of looted heritage

 

Earlier research projects

Famines as mass-atrocities: Reconsidering violence, memory and justice in relation to hunger

Transnational lives in the shadow of repression: diaspora youth and the struggle for democracy  

Seeking justice from abroad: Diaspora engagement in transitional justice  

Political transition and religious radicalization in Burma and Sri Lanka

 

Teaching

I supervise BA, master’s and PhD students. My main areas of teaching are: ethics and methods in field research; conflicts and conflict resolution; civil society and peacebuilding; diasporas and migration; memory politics. Coordinator for The (im)possibilities of peace in a violent world, elective course in the Global Studies masters program.