58³Ô¹Ï

Dr Kasia Houghton

Research Fellow

Email

kad22@st-andrews.ac.uk

 

Research areas

Kasia is a post-doctoral research fellow with the  project at the University of 58³Ô¹Ï. She contributes to the creation of the Mediation Events and Negotiators Database (MEND)—a global database of third-party mediation in violent conflict.

More broadly her research focuses on external interventions in violent conflict, especially in the Middle East, investigating the changing nature of conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and warfare. Theoretically, her work sits at the intersection of strategic studies, peacebuilding, and post-Western approaches to global politics. Her doctoral research focused on the role of Russia in the Syrian conflict, specifically on the impact of its integrated military, diplomatic, and economic strategy. In addition to her academic work, she engages in policy discussions about mediation and peace operations, particularly with the FCDO and British and Scottish Parliaments.

Kasia is a member of the University of 58³Ô¹Ï’ Centre for Global Law and Governance (CGLG), the Institute for Middle Eastern, Central Asia, and Caucasus Studies (MECACS), and Centre for Syrian Studies (CSS). She holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of 58³Ô¹Ï, which was funded by the ESRC, and has previously lectured and tutored there and at Durham University. She was an al-Qasimi Master’s Excellence Scholar, securing funding for her MRes in Middle East Studies from the University of Exeter.

Selected publications

• Open access
  Peter, M., D'Amico, E., Houghton, K. A. & Badanjak, S., 13 May 2026, Edinburgh: PeaceRep. 29 p. (MEND Data Series)

  Research output: Book/Report › Book

• Houghton, K. A., 27 May 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Open access
  Peter, M. & Houghton, K. A., 16 May 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Peacekeeping. Latest Articles, 27 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• Peter, M. & Houghton, K. A., 19 Apr 2024, Edinburgh: Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform, University of Edinburgh. 47 p. (Global transitions series)

  Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report

• Houghton, K. A., 1 Jan 2024, China moves West: the evolving strategies of the Belt and Road Initiative. Ehteshami, A., Houghton, B. & Liu, J. (eds.). Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, p. 135-154 20 p.

  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

• Houghton, B. (Editor) & Houghton, K. A. (Editor), 1 Dec 2023, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. 244 p. (Changing dynamics in Asia-Middle East relations)

  Research output: Book/Report › Book

• Open access
  Peter, M. & Houghton, K., 27 Apr 2023, Edinburgh: Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform, University of Edinburgh. 62 p. (Global transitions series)

  Research output: Book/Report › Other report

• Houghton, K. A. & Houghton, B., 1 Dec 2023, China, Russia, and the USA in the Middle East: the contest for supremacy. Houghton, B. & Houghton, K. A. (eds.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 3-11 9 p.

  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

• Open access
  Houghton, K. A., 4 Apr 2023, Online : SEPAD (the Sectarianism, Proxies & De-sectarianization project).

  Research output: Other contribution

• Houghton, K. A., 1 Dec 2023, China, Russia, and the USA in the Middle East: the contest for supremacy. Houghton, B. & Houghton, K. A. (eds.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, p. 46-64 19 p. (Changing dynamics in Asia-Middle East relations).

  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter