Brandon Hamber Closed Now

Brandon Hamber is an internationally respected scholar and practitioner in transitional justice, known for his pioneering work on reconciliation, psychosocial trauma, victims’ needs, and the long-term social impact of political violence. His career has uniquely bridged academic research, policy development, and hands-on work with communities affected by conflict.

Hamber began his career in South Africa during the post-apartheid transition, where he worked closely with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). His early research critically examined the psychological and social consequences of truth-telling processes, challenging simplistic assumptions that truth alone leads to healing. This work established him as a key voice in debates about victim-centered justice and reconciliation.

He later served as Director of the Transitional Justice Institute (TJI) at Ulster University, where he led interdisciplinary research on dealing with the past in Northern Ireland and other post-conflict societies. Under his leadership, TJI became one of the world’s leading centers for transitional justice scholarship and practice.

Hamber’s work extends beyond formal justice mechanisms to include community dialogue, memory, and social repair. He has conducted extensive fieldwork and advisory work in countries such as Northern Ireland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and the Balkans. His research emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma, identity, and social relationships alongside legal accountability.

He is the author or co-author of influential works including Transforming Societies after Political Violence, Past Imperfect, and numerous journal articles that are widely cited in the International Journal of Transitional Justice and other leading publications. His writing consistently argues that justice processes must be attentive to the lived experiences of victims and survivors.

In addition to his academic roles, Hamber has worked as a consultant for governments, NGOs, and international organizations, helping design reconciliation programs, victim support initiatives, and community-based peacebuilding strategies. His work continues to shape policy debates on how societies confront legacies of violence in meaningful and humane ways.