Richard Fosu

Lecturer in International Relations

Department of Politics and International Relations

Monash University

Melbourne, Australia

Two-year Master's Program of Public Policy (’17)

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization, and how did you come to work in this area?

As a Lecturer in International Relations, my responsibilities include both teaching and research. I teach subjects in international relations, including Introduction to International Relations, Knowledge and Power in World Politics, and Conflict, Security and Development, among others. My research focuses on peace and conflict, with particular attention to post-conflict peacebuilding. My PhD thesis examined peacebuilding in the conflict between the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda, which took place between 1987 and 2008.

I am currently involved in several research projects, but I will highlight two major projects that are scheduled to conclude in 2026. Both focus broadly on women's inclusion in security sector institutions and in UN peace operations. The first project, which began three years ago, investigates the causes and impacts of the marginalisation of uniformed women with caring responsibilities in UN operations. It is funded by Global Affairs Canada under the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women and is based on seven case studies. We have conducted interviews with military and police personnel from three troop- and police-contributing countries (P/TCCs): India, Indonesia, and the UK. We have also interviewed peacekeepers serving in three UN peacekeeping missions--in the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)--as well as personnel at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The second project investigates the links between gender inclusion, gender responsiveness, and operational effectiveness in responses to conflict and crises involving civil-military-police cooperation. This project is funded by the Australian Civil-Military Centre (ACMC). We are currently conducting interviews with personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Border Force (ABF), as well as actors in the humanitarian sector and experts in conflict and humanitarian crises.

You are currently a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Monash University. Please tell us about your main roles and responsibilities, both in teaching and in your ongoing research projects.

Yes, I think I always wanted to pursue a career in academic setting because I like both teaching and reading books. I also like conducting research in different fields and sharing my knowledge with a wider community. I think this combination of teaching, learning, and research has inspired me to pursue a career in academia.

Have you always wanted to pursue a career in research and academia? What aspects of studying conflict, peace, and inclusion attract you most?

Yes, I have always wanted to pursue a career in research and academia. I have always had questions, and I have been curious about how the world works and how countries relate to one another. Within peace and conflict studies in particular, I have long been interested in why conflict occurs and how ordinary people--often neighbours--can turn against each other. When I was introduced to the Rwandan genocide during my bachelor's degree, I was deeply puzzled by how ordinary people became perpetrators of violence against those living alongside them.

These questions have remained central to my academic interests and have led me to focus on how societies rebuild after conflict. This is why I am particularly interested in inclusive peacebuilding: how post-conflict countries can rebuild inclusive futures in which everyone shares in the post-conflict order, thereby reducing the risk of a relapse into conflict.

What are your professional goals, and where do you see yourself and your research contributions in ten years' time?

My primary professional goal is to progress to the highest level in academia, namely becoming a full professor. Achieving this requires that I continue to pursue the research questions that motivate me, while consistently writing and publishing over the next ten years. Ideally, within that timeframe, I aim to have built a substantial body of research and publications. Even if I do not attain the rank of full professor within ten years, I would expect to be at least an associate professor within the Australian academic system, should I remain in Australia.

More broadly, I see myself continuing to develop as an academic in international relations, with a strong research profile focused on post-conflict societies. My work will continue to examine peacebuilding in Africa, while also contributing to broader debates about Africa's role and contributions to the field of international relations.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

One of the biggest challenges I face in my work is finding adequate time to research and write on the questions that interest me most. I spend a significant amount of time teaching, which is a core and rewarding part of my role, but I would welcome more dedicated time for research and writing. Another major challenge is access to research funding. Given the nature of my work, travelling to conflict-affected settings and engaging directly with everyday people to understand their experiences is essential, and this type of fieldwork is resource-intensive. However, research funding has become increasingly difficult to secure, which limits opportunities for the kind of in-depth engagement necessary to understand how conflict-affected populations navigate their circumstances and rebuild their lives.

At the same time, some of the most rewarding aspects of my career have come from these very engagements--working closely with research participants, contributing to policy-relevant debates on peacebuilding, and teaching students who are deeply interested in issues of conflict, peace, and inclusion. These experiences have been both intellectually stimulating and professionally fulfilling.

What led you to pursue your studies at GRIPS? What was the most important thing you gained from the program, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavors?

After completing my bachelor's degree, I began looking for opportunities to pursue graduate studies, and a friend introduced me to GRIPS. I conducted some background research and found the programme content very interesting. I also reached out to a number of current and former students, who spoke highly of the academic rigour of the programmes at GRIPS. That level of rigour was exactly what I was seeking to prepare me for further postgraduate study.

GRIPS prepared me very well for undertaking advanced studies, which I was able to pursue with relative ease. In particular, the research process involved in producing the policy paper at GRIPS proved extremely valuable during my later graduate studies. During my PhD in Australia, there were three formal milestones that all candidates were required to pass in order to progress: an initial research proposal presentation after one year, a mid-candidature progress review after two years, and a final milestone after three years. Following the final milestone, candidates typically have about six months to write and submit their thesis. This process felt familiar to me because of the similar research experience I had gained at GRIPS through the policy paper project.

Have you had any involvement, professional or otherwise, with GRIPS since your graduation?

Since leaving GRIPS, I have maintained good personal connections with some of my former professors. Recently, when I was in Tokyo, I visited GRIPS to reconnect with them as well as with the wonderful staff in the Student Office. While I have not yet been as actively involved in GRIPS alumni engagement as I would like, I am keen to become more involved in the future.

You have lived, studied, and worked across multiple countries throughout your career. What do you enjoy most about your current environment in Australia, and what do you miss from home?

What I enjoy most about living and working in Australia is its multicultural environment. Melbourne, in particular, is a highly diverse city, and I value the opportunity to live and interact with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. As a lecturer, I also find it especially rewarding to teach students from different cultural and national backgrounds, as this diversity enriches classroom discussions and learning experiences.

What I miss most about home, Ghana, is the food and my childhood friends. I try to return as often as I can to reconnect with the people I care about.

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

One of the lessons I learned early in life is that a person is only as grounded as the meaningful social relationships they maintain. So, I try not to define myself solely by my work, but rather through strong familial and social connections. I make a conscious effort to maintain ongoing and meaningful relationships with family and friends--people I genuinely care about.

When I am not working, I enjoy watching movies, taking road trips, reading fiction, and, most importantly, spending quality time with my family.

What are some of your fondest memories of your time at GRIPS?

GRIPS holds a special place in my heart. I have dozens, if not hundreds, of fond memories, and I'm not exaggerating. To sum it up, one of the things I remember most fondly is the strong sense of community at GRIPS. In particular, the cultural event held toward the end of our studies remains a highlight. Sharing the stage and the day with friends from around the world, each presenting their culture through performances, was a truly special experience. I also have very fond memories of the staff in the Student Office--the joy and care with which they responded to our concerns made a lasting impression. During my time at GRIPS, every visit to the Student Office left me feeling supported, satisfied, and genuinely happy.

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS, what would it be?

I would tell anyone considering studying at GRIPS: "Go for it!" GRIPS is truly a life-changing experience. Beyond earning a highly competitive degree that prepares you for real-world impact, you will form bonds that will serve you for life. GRIPS doesn't just provide a degree--it offers the opportunity to build bridges across continents and connect with people from around the world.

How would you like to stay involved with the school? As an alumnus, what do you hope to see from GRIPS in the future, and do you have any suggestions for strengthening or further utilizing the GRIPS alumni network?

I would like to be more actively involved as a GRIPS alumnus. Whenever possible, and when opportunities arise, I am happy to share my expertise with the GRIPS community, including current and incoming students. In the future, I hope to see GRIPS expand its research partnerships with institutions around the world to strengthen its engagement with policy-relevant issues and increase its global impact.