Silvia Danielak

Silvia is a doctoral candidate at MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, where she studies socio-spatial planning in the context of conflict and disaster risk. Silvia’s dissertation examines the evolution of peace operations in the context of urbanization and climate-induced hazards. Her research focuses on the production and circulation of peacebuilding ideas and practices and their relations with urban planning and particularly infrastructure development. Broadly, she is interested in infrastructure and technology in conflict settings and as part of peace efforts, as well as its coalition with climate and environmental efforts. Silvia's work has been published in various academic and non-academic outlets, including the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, International Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding, or Disasters. 

Silvia has more than eight years of professional experience in international development, local governance and conflict prevention across Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Prior to joining MIT, she served as a conflict prevention advisor to the African Union Border Program in Addis Ababa, and worked on conflict mediation in Kyrgyzstan. Silvia holds a Masters in Design Studies, Risk and Resilience from Harvard University, a M.A. in International Security from Sciences Po Paris, and a B.A. in European Studies from Maastricht University.