Usman A. Tar received a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies with distinction from the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford. He also received M.Sc. in International Relations (distinction) and B.Sc. in Political Science (first class) from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He holds a Lectureship position at the University of Maiduguri (on leave). He has held teaching and research positions at the Africa Centre/Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, and participated in a number of international conferences and workshops. He is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Review of African Political Economy (Sheffield); Information and Democracy (London Metropolitan University) and has previously served as contributing editor to Peace, Conflict and Development (University of Bradford). He has published in peer review journals and contributed chapters in edited books. His research interests include International Relations - theory & practice; Politics of Development; Peace, Conflict and Security; Governance and Democracy; State, Civil Society & Citizenship.