Dr. Cecilia Jacob

Biography

Cecilia is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at the Coral Bell School of Asia and the Pacific and serves as Associate Dean (Research, Engagement Impact) at the College of Asia and the Pacific. Her research focuses on civilian protection, mass atrocity prevention, and international human protection norms, addressing questions related to international relations, international law, and ethics. Cecilia's geographical focus includes armed conflict and political violence in South and Southeast Asia, where she has conducted extensive field research. She has advised governments on atrocity prevention and conflict-related policy and has consulted for several UN agencies and humanitarian organizations. Cecilia has published works including her monograph "Child Security in Asia: Impact of Armed Conflict in Cambodia and Myanmar" and has co-edited volumes on civilian protection and governance responsibilities. She is currently an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow (2020-2024) and co-editor-in-chief of the journal "Global Responsibility to Protect". Her past visiting appointments include the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law and the Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict at the University of Oxford. Prior to obtaining her PhD, Cecilia worked with NGOs in France, Thailand, and Cambodia and advised the Australian government on aid programs.

Research Interests