
One of the six research projects funded by FBA studies the functioning of local self-government bodies in wartime in Ukraine.
Head of Research
Johanna Malm is FBA:s Head of Research. In this capacity, she manages FBA’s research team and the agency’s work to promote an evidence-based approach within its operations. Johanna also conducts her own empirical research within the research project “Women peacebuilders and climate security” (2023-2026).
It explores how grassroots women affected by climate change and insecurity respond to the challenges that they face.. Drawing on a case study of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the study explores women’s organisational strategies and the factors that enable or hinder them from pursuing their interests successfully. The study also explores how these organisational responses affect gender roles in the communities. Based on this analysis, the project informs research and practice more broadly in terms of understanding and supporting women’s organisational strategies facing climate change and insecurity.
Johanna previously held researcher positions at Stellenbosch University in South Africa and Roskilde University in Denmark. She was previously project manager for FBA’s work with the Swedish development cooperation strategy for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Johanna has also worked as Senior Auditor at the Swedish National Audit Office, where she audited the implementation of Swedish international development cooperation, and as Policy Advisor focusing on Business and Human Rights at the Swedish NGO Diakonia.
Johanna holds a PhD degree in international development studies from Roskilde University in Denmark, a master’s degree in peace and conflict studies from Umeå University in Sweden, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stellenbosch University.
Please click here to consult Johanna Malm’s list of publications (pdf).
FBA’s research programme | Climate security | The Democratic Republic of Congo | Development aid in conflict countries | International Development Studies
Research within FBA's areas of expertise, the Middle East
Colombia, peace-building and mediation
Colombia, ELN, FN peace operations and inclusion issues
Afghanistan, Western Balkans, Africa, Preventive Diplomacy
Conflict prevention and peacebuilding | Security sector reform
Inclusive peace processes
Women, peace and security
Afghanistan
State-building and human security
FBA's work in Africa
Democracy and governance, leadership and cooperation in peace operations
Ukraine, international peace operations and civil-military cooperation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Western Balkans
Palestine and state-building
Multilateral Cooperation | Liberia
The African Union and peace operations
Civilian crisis management and international deployments
Myanmar, peace and democracy building
Sustainable peacebuilding | support to peace processes
Latin America and disarmament of ex-combatants
Election observation
Iraq and Palestine
Mozambique, dialogue, reconciliation, and peace processes
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The assessment process for FBA’s Research Grants 2025 has been completed. Six policy-relevant research projects have been awarded funding. The selected projects concern, inter alia, local self-governance in Ukraine during the full-scale Russian invasion, the Colombian population’s view of the peace process, coalition building in authoritarian regimes, and sieges carried out by non-state armed groups.
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