Dr. SarahJoy Leitch

Dr. SarahJoy Leitch is a Senior Researcher at the ISIR Institute, holding a PhD in African Politics from the University of Leeds and a master’s degree in African Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Bradford, both in the UK. With over 15 years of research experience, she is a veteran in the fields of African conflict and governance.

Dr. Leitch has a deep understanding of the political, social, and economic dynamics across the African continent. Her areas of interest include Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, as well as the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa, with a particular focus on state building and democracy in Somaliland.

Currently, she serves as the lead researcher at the Institute for Practical Research and Training (IPRT), where she is investigating levels of trust in democratic and clan institutions in Somaliland.