United Nations Association Coventry is happy to receive Ayesha Zafar as a volunteer in December 2025. We think her profile will be of interest to our readers and to other volunteers, present and future.

Her past experience

Ayesha Zafar

In September, she completed the International Joint Master’s in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) with distinction, studying across the University of Glasgow, Dublin City University, and Charles University under a fully funded EU Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

She has previously worked with the Peace Research Centre Prague and SWP Institute Germany on an EU-funded project examining nuclear rhetoric and escalation in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, coordinating research and analysis for the 553-page analytical report “Russia’s Nuclear Signaling in the War Against Ukraine: A Chronology of the Biden Era,” published in December. Her experience also includes roles at Security Distillery, Gorstra Research Group, CPG Institute in Thailand, VectraCom International, and as Research Assistant at the National Defence University, where she honed her skills in research, analysis, writing, and policy advisory work.

Her Publications

She writes: “My research has been published in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals including Intergenerational Justice Review, Æther: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Space Power (United States Air Force), Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs (Air University Press), and Polaris: Journal of Maritime Research. Across these publications, I have examined nuclear escalation risks in the Ukraine conflict, space governance in emerging security contexts, great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific, and maritime security in the Middle East.

“I have also authored four book chapters in ‘Foreign Policy of Major Powers,’ focusing on South Asia’s strategic landscape, India–Pakistan relations, regional power dynamics, and extremism. Alongside academic publishing, I have written more than thirty opinion editorials. demonstrating my ability to translate complex security issues for public and policy audiences.

“To complement my academic and professional background, I have undertaken specialised training including Strategic Intelligence Analysis at OTH Regensburg, NATO Civil-Military Cooperation (CCOE) in The Hague, Nuclear Risk and Long-Term Peacekeeping with the German Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations, European Security, Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence at Dublin City University and Jean Monnet, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) with KNOWMAD Institute, and Digital Forensics & Misinformation Analysis with DFR Lab (Atlantic Council). These trainings strengthened my expertise in intelligence, conflict assessment, digital research, and strategic policy evaluation, all directly relevant to UNA Coventry’s work.”

Her current work

She is currently working as a Project Manager at the Foundation for the Rights of the Future Generations (FRFG), leading diverse teams on projects analysing intergenerational justice, sustainability, and global security. Her work centres on analysing how contemporary security challenges — including armed conflict and nuclear risk — affect both present and future generations. In this role, she contributes directly to research and writing, oversees high-impact publications, and ensures outputs combine rigorous analysis with clear, actionable policy recommendations. For FRFG, she also serves as Lead Co-Editor of their Intergenerational Justice Review (IGJR), supporting research, writing, and publication initiatives.

What does she hope to gain from volunteering with UNA Coventry?

She writes:

“I am excited to volunteer with UNA Coventry because it offers a unique platform to contribute meaningfully to global peace, human rights, and sustainable development, while gaining practical experience in areas closely aligned with my academic and professional journey.

“My postgraduate research examined the extent to which the framing of youth in key EU strategic and policy documents has evolved following the UN’s introduction of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda in 2015. It analysed EU initiatives aimed at empowering young people in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, with particular attention to the need for gender-sensitive approaches to conflict resolution. This work provided me with rigorous training in conflict analysis, intelligence assessment, and policy-oriented research.”

“This aligns directly with UNA Coventry’s objectives, and I am eager to apply these insights to support community-focused projects such as Child Soldiers Presentations, assessing the Impact of War on Individuals and Communities, and Legal Aspects of the United Nations, as well as producing UNACov podcasts to engage broader audiences.”

And she continues:

“Through volunteering, I aim to contribute my skills in research, policy analysis, project management, and event coordination to engage communities, empower youth, and support UNA Coventry’s mission to create a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. I am particularly motivated to assist with educational initiatives, public engagement campaigns, and podcasts, while gaining hands-on experience in consultation, event organisation, and cross-sector collaboration. This role provides the ideal opportunity to merge my academic knowledge, professional experience, and personal commitment to global justice and youth empowerment, making a meaningful impact locally and internationally.”

UNA Coventry look forward to her participation in our projects in 2026.