Marta Martinelli has specialised in the analysis of the resolution and prevention of protracted conflicts in Africa. She currently leads the work of the EU External Relations Team, at the Open Society European Policy Institute in Brussels. She focuses in particular Africa, gender and democracy. She also leads work with various OSF platforms on security governance initiatives. Prior to joining OSF Marta has worked for several years as an advisor to the Belgian development ministry focusing on bilateral aid and peacebuilding in the Great Lakes, and has advised the EU and UNDP on peacebuilding and security sector reform with a focus on civil-military relations and democratic oversight in Central Africa. Throughout her field experience Marta has focused on facilitating dialogue between traditionally opposing groups and between civil society and institutions with a particular focus on parliaments’ and civil society role in peace and security matters. She has worked and traveled in several African countries and more recently has began work in South East Asia. She has developed and held the first Bernheim chair in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Free University of Brussels and has contributed to academic cooperation for development by teaching at the UNESCO Chair for Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Bujumbura and participating in north-south higher education programs. She is the vice-president of Women in International Security-Brussels (WIIS) and a member of the advisory boards of EURAC, and of the advisory group of Save the Children Brussels. Between 2015 and 2017 she has served as advisor to the European Institute of Peace.