The Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies, Fafo-AIS, is one of two institutes under the Fafo foundation established in 1982. Fafo-AIS is an independent institute for applied research with long experience and institutional cooperation in developing countries and in particular with countries in conflict, post-conflict and transition. In all of its work, Fafo-AIS uses an empirical approach to research combining quantitative and qualitative methods to produce policy-relevant research of high scientific quality and with a tight engagement with policy making.
In the Middle East, Fafo-AIS provides grounded, empirical research concentrating on projects that could be covered by three headings: (i) living conditions and coping with conflict, (ii) refugees, and (iii) political movements, regime stability and change. Fafo-AIS has worked in the Middle East since the early 1990s. One of its core activities is the design, implementation and analysis of large-scale multi-topic household surveys. However, Fafo-AIS also has a solid portfolio of projects based on qualitative methods, such as analysis of peoples’ coping strategies, migration patterns, labour market access, as well as issues of political transition, security and human security. Fafo-AIS has a permanent presence in the region, in the form of offices in Gaza and Bethlehem, and previously with offices in Amman (2000-2005) and Damascus (2004-2011). Fafo-AIS staff have also lived and worked in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo, Amman and Beirut. Due to the strong empirical emphasis in Fafo-AIS’ research, extensive and regular field visits is a core characteristic of the institute’s activity.
Persons involved in the project
Jon Pedersen is the former head of research, now managing director for Fafo-AIS. He is a social anthropologist and demographer and has extensive experience from China, the Middle East and Africa (West and Central Africa, Eritrea) with a particular focus on child mortality estimation, sample surveys, living conditions, and institutional cooperation. Pedersen will provide quality assurance to the project.
Åge Arild Tiltnes has a degree in political science with a focus on democratic theory and Middle East studies. Tiltnes lived in Jordan for a number of years and has engaged with governments, civil society and multilateral organisations in project implementation and policy development. He has long experience with design and implementation of household sample surveys, opinion polls and qualitative research in occupied Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Tiltnes has wide competence in the analysis of socio-economic statistics.
Main tasks attributed to Fafo-AIS
-Leader of WP4
-Partner in WP1, WP8, WP9
