Serex’s study examines the conflicts and peace processes between Egypt and Israel, between India and Pakistan, and in Northern Ireland. In particular, she analyzes the role of political leaders and elites in either sustaining or resolving the conflict in each case. Using structured, focused comparisons and process tracing methodology, Serex identifies five factors that can affect elite decision-making, leading either to continued conflict or commitment to peace.

The research has been guided by faculty mentor Jason Kirk, assistant professor of political science and international studies. Serex developed ideas for the project during her political science coursework at Elon and a study abroad experience at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland last year. Also in 2010, Serex was accepted as a TISS Wickersham Scholar at the recommendation of another Elon mentor, Sean Giovanello, who is assistant professor of political science and international studies and a TISS faculty affiliate.

The Triangle Institute for Security Studies “is an interdisciplinary consortium sponsored by three North Carolina research universities – Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its members share an interest in issues of national and international security, broadly defined […] The purpose of TISS is to promote communication, education and research in the field.” For more information, see the link to the right.

Kirk’s presentation came on the eve of the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF, and led to a stimulating exchange of views on the historical evolution and possible future directions of the Bank’s assistance strategy in India, which is the Bank’s largest cumulative borrower.

Amid the international attention being given to India’s “rising power” status, Kirk argues, the gap between India’s richest and poorest states is often ignored, but it is wide and growing wider.

Business Standard has a print circulation of 145,000 and is published in all of India’s major metro markets. Its website attracts 1.5 million unique visitors every month–the highest of any stand-alone financial newspaper in India. The paper publishes both English and Hindi editions.