Professor Michael Semple is Professorial Research Fellow: Complex Conflict and Peace Research. Michael was previously Practitioner Chair at the Mitchell Institute.
He works on innovative approaches to peace-making and engagement with militant Islamic movements in Afghanistan and South Asia.
His interests include the political culture of the Afghan Taliban and kindred militant Islamic, the role and potential of dialogue and social media in conflict transformation and the challenge of pluralism in the post 9/11 Muslim world.
In his current role, Michael will be conducting research into the complex conflict in Afghanistan, with focus including the political culture of the Afghan Taliban Movement, other conflict actors and emergent civic and political resistance to Taliban rule.
The research is policy-oriented and the role involves delivering insights to policy makers relevant to the management of the peace process, as well as contributions to public education and debate.
Michael hosts a regular podcast series: Taliban, Turbans and the Smartphone.
Featuring analysis and discussion, Michael speaks with key figures from the former Afghan government, NGO’s, and others involved in the country’s politics as the country seeks to rebuild under a new Taliban government, 20 years after the former Taliban rulers were overthrown.
Listen to the podcasts here.
