Broderick McDonald is a PhD student at the University of Oxford researching conflict and extremism with the hope of promoting peace and security through a better understanding of the dynamics that shape modern conflicts.
Brody’s research focuses on explaining how armed Jihadist-Salafist extremist groups have been able to use new technologies, social media, and new forms of rebel governance to evolve and establish semi-autonomous ‘states’ in Iraq and Syria. His research suggests that the key to limiting the impact of these groups is to understand how they use new methods to expand their influence, and then to develop counter measures to challenge them.
His interest in conflict resolution started during his undergraduate studies in Canada. At that time, groups like ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and Al-Nusra were taking control of large territories in Syria and Iraq. How could groups like ISIS and the Nusra Front govern the land, exploit social and ethnic communities, and bring populations under their control?
After a BA at the University of Victoria, and further study at Cambridge University, Brody went on to investigate this topic at Oxford University. Prior to his academic research, Brody worked as a Special Assistant and Policy Advisor to the Government of Canada. He also volunteered with NGO associations including the All Party Parliamentary Group for Genocide which was documenting the campaign of genocide against the Yezidi people in Northern Iraq.
Deciding on the next path, Brody moved to Amman Jordan to study Arabic and begin preliminary field research for a future PhD. Living in Jordan he realised he might be able to make a contribution to conflict resolution. Conversations with refugees in Amman gave him valuable insights into how armed rebel groups govern populations under their control; how they establish a full bureaucracy, an educational system, courts, and social service agencies for millions of people. He is especially interested in how a new generation of extremist groups has developed new methods that make them more likely to succeed than their predecessors.
He intends to return to Jordan for further field work in Autumn 2022 and hopes to travel to the Syrian-Turkish border to interview refugees who have fled the conflict.
Oxford has been ‘a magical place’ and it has helped him deepen and refine his research. The collegiate system provides a close-knit home within the wider university. St Catherine’s College is one of the most egalitarian and inclusive colleges of Oxford, admitting students from diverse ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Brody strongly encourages students to apply here if they are searching for a welcome, collaborative community to study in.
Returning to Oxford, Brody will bring information collected in Jordan and Turkey back to the UK for writing up. By bringing to light how extremist groups expand and govern territory, Brody hopes to share his findings with policymakers in Canada and abroad, ultimately helping to develop more nuanced policies to protect human rights and address the growing threat posed by extremist groups.
Brody was awarded the CIBC Scholarship 2022 – 2023
