Rachel M Gisselquist
@rgisselquist.bsky.social
Professor in Governance and Development @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Director, Governance and Social Development Resource Centre @gsdrc.org
Non-resident Senior Fellow, UNU-WIDER
From Honolulu, via Helsinki and beyond—now in the UK
Director, Governance and Social Development Resource Centre @gsdrc.org
Non-resident Senior Fellow, UNU-WIDER
From Honolulu, via Helsinki and beyond—now in the UK
🎉 GSDRC Working Paper #2 is out! 🎉
After Kabul: Addressing concerns about corruption in donor publics by rechannelling aid
Fresh insights from our colleagues at the Development Engagement Lab. @soominoh.bsky.social @pmorini.bsky.social Jennifer Hudson, David Hudson @unibirmingham.bsky.social
After Kabul: Addressing concerns about corruption in donor publics by rechannelling aid
Fresh insights from our colleagues at the Development Engagement Lab. @soominoh.bsky.social @pmorini.bsky.social Jennifer Hudson, David Hudson @unibirmingham.bsky.social
📢 New
@GSDRC
Working Paper!
How can donors maintain public support for aid in sensitive contexts?
German survey shows support rises when aid is channelled via NGOs.
🔗 shorturl.at/qGUyz
#ForeignAid #PublicOpinion #Afghanistan #DevelopmentPolicy
@GSDRC
Working Paper!
How can donors maintain public support for aid in sensitive contexts?
German survey shows support rises when aid is channelled via NGOs.
🔗 shorturl.at/qGUyz
#ForeignAid #PublicOpinion #Afghanistan #DevelopmentPolicy
September 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
🎉 GSDRC Working Paper #2 is out! 🎉
After Kabul: Addressing concerns about corruption in donor publics by rechannelling aid
Fresh insights from our colleagues at the Development Engagement Lab. @soominoh.bsky.social @pmorini.bsky.social Jennifer Hudson, David Hudson @unibirmingham.bsky.social
After Kabul: Addressing concerns about corruption in donor publics by rechannelling aid
Fresh insights from our colleagues at the Development Engagement Lab. @soominoh.bsky.social @pmorini.bsky.social Jennifer Hudson, David Hudson @unibirmingham.bsky.social
Had the pleasure of attending this excellent symposium today—exciting work from UKRI Future Leaders Fellow @sandrapertek.bsky.social and team! IDD @unibirmingham
Call for papers! Submission deadline fast approaching! Join our Symposium in September - women in displacement and philanthropy in Muslim-majority/-minority settings. Join this event as global aid cuts deeply affect humanitarian efforts @unibirmingham @iddbirmingham @IndianaUniv
September 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Had the pleasure of attending this excellent symposium today—exciting work from UKRI Future Leaders Fellow @sandrapertek.bsky.social and team! IDD @unibirmingham
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Is there a link between inequality & democracy?
Our new research using global data says the story is less clear than many theories suggest.
Read more 👉https://go.unu.edu/FlMw6
@rgisselquist.bsky.social
Our new research using global data says the story is less clear than many theories suggest.
Read more 👉https://go.unu.edu/FlMw6
@rgisselquist.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Is there a link between inequality & democracy?
Our new research using global data says the story is less clear than many theories suggest.
Read more 👉https://go.unu.edu/FlMw6
@rgisselquist.bsky.social
Our new research using global data says the story is less clear than many theories suggest.
Read more 👉https://go.unu.edu/FlMw6
@rgisselquist.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
📚 At the UNU-WIDER conference, @rgisselquist.bsky.social presented Fragile Aid, a new volume on development in conflict-affected states. The book is now fully available online: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...
📢 All IDD, University of Birmingham news hee: www.devstud.org.uk/2025/07/16/i...
📢 All IDD, University of Birmingham news hee: www.devstud.org.uk/2025/07/16/i...
August 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
📚 At the UNU-WIDER conference, @rgisselquist.bsky.social presented Fragile Aid, a new volume on development in conflict-affected states. The book is now fully available online: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...
📢 All IDD, University of Birmingham news hee: www.devstud.org.uk/2025/07/16/i...
📢 All IDD, University of Birmingham news hee: www.devstud.org.uk/2025/07/16/i...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
📢 New Policy Brief: How to make aid work in fragile states
Aid in fragile contexts needs more than technical fixes. The brief calls for long-term, flexible support rooted in local legitimacy.
📄: go.unu.edu/pTvBB
#FragileAid @apvjustino.bsky.social @rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
Aid in fragile contexts needs more than technical fixes. The brief calls for long-term, flexible support rooted in local legitimacy.
📄: go.unu.edu/pTvBB
#FragileAid @apvjustino.bsky.social @rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
August 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
📢 New Policy Brief: How to make aid work in fragile states
Aid in fragile contexts needs more than technical fixes. The brief calls for long-term, flexible support rooted in local legitimacy.
📄: go.unu.edu/pTvBB
#FragileAid @apvjustino.bsky.social @rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
Aid in fragile contexts needs more than technical fixes. The brief calls for long-term, flexible support rooted in local legitimacy.
📄: go.unu.edu/pTvBB
#FragileAid @apvjustino.bsky.social @rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Only one set of major civil service reforms have been implemented in Pakistan – and these were over 50 years ago.
Despite decades of promises to fix Pakistan’s bureaucracy, efforts have consistently stalled.
Despite decades of promises to fix Pakistan’s bureaucracy, efforts have consistently stalled.
July 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Only one set of major civil service reforms have been implemented in Pakistan – and these were over 50 years ago.
Despite decades of promises to fix Pakistan’s bureaucracy, efforts have consistently stalled.
Despite decades of promises to fix Pakistan’s bureaucracy, efforts have consistently stalled.
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
What is the role of donors in the delivery of services in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings?
Iffat Idris from @GSDRC.org explores here k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/rol...
Iffat Idris from @GSDRC.org explores here k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/rol...
Role of Donors in the Delivery of Services in Protracted FCV Settings
This report reviews the ways that donors are addressing the challenging nature of service delivery in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable (FCV) settings.
k4d.ids.ac.uk
June 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
What is the role of donors in the delivery of services in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings?
Iffat Idris from @GSDRC.org explores here k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/rol...
Iffat Idris from @GSDRC.org explores here k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/rol...
Enjoyed chairing this session on Welfare and Labour Effects, featuring 4 excellent papers by @timkohler.bsky.social @leitemariante.bsky.social Shatakshi Gupta & @tsenguunjav.bsky.social
Fascinating research presented by WIDER Visiting Scholar Timothy Köhler on South Africa's social relief grant.
The paper reveals cash transfers to the unemployed boosted
🔎job search
📦business attempts
💼employment
though long-term effects aren't universal
#WIDERDevConf2025
The paper reveals cash transfers to the unemployed boosted
🔎job search
📦business attempts
💼employment
though long-term effects aren't universal
#WIDERDevConf2025
June 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Enjoyed chairing this session on Welfare and Labour Effects, featuring 4 excellent papers by @timkohler.bsky.social @leitemariante.bsky.social Shatakshi Gupta & @tsenguunjav.bsky.social
Pleased to be here at #WIDERDevConf2025!
June 9, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Pleased to be here at #WIDERDevConf2025!
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Do codes of conduct and ethical codes reduce polticisation and #corruption in the civil service? 🏦
This study by William Avis from @gsdrc.org evaluates the impact of #CivilService codes.
Read the full findings here 👇
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/civ...
This study by William Avis from @gsdrc.org evaluates the impact of #CivilService codes.
Read the full findings here 👇
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/civ...
Civil Service Codes and their Impact
This report reviews the value of Civil Service Codes in reducing corruption and improving independence and objectivity.
k4d.ids.ac.uk
May 1, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Do codes of conduct and ethical codes reduce polticisation and #corruption in the civil service? 🏦
This study by William Avis from @gsdrc.org evaluates the impact of #CivilService codes.
Read the full findings here 👇
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/civ...
This study by William Avis from @gsdrc.org evaluates the impact of #CivilService codes.
Read the full findings here 👇
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/civ...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Elon Musk's conflicts of interest: $2.37 billion in potential federal penalties, report says
Elon Musk's conflicts of interest: $2.37 billion in potential federal penalties, report says
On the day Trump took office, Elon Musk, Tesla and his other companies faced at least $2.37 billion in potential penalties from federal agencies, according to a Democratic congressional report.
www.latimes.com
April 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Elon Musk's conflicts of interest: $2.37 billion in potential federal penalties, report says
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
New #OpenAccess book out now!
How States Respond to Crisis reveals how state capacity, authority & legitimacy influenced outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with 7 in-depth case studies from the Global South.
Read the full book 👉 go.unu.edu/DhF08
@rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
How States Respond to Crisis reveals how state capacity, authority & legitimacy influenced outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with 7 in-depth case studies from the Global South.
Read the full book 👉 go.unu.edu/DhF08
@rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
April 23, 2025 at 8:10 AM
New #OpenAccess book out now!
How States Respond to Crisis reveals how state capacity, authority & legitimacy influenced outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with 7 in-depth case studies from the Global South.
Read the full book 👉 go.unu.edu/DhF08
@rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
How States Respond to Crisis reveals how state capacity, authority & legitimacy influenced outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with 7 in-depth case studies from the Global South.
Read the full book 👉 go.unu.edu/DhF08
@rgisselquist.bsky.social @anvaccaro.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
288 people have been rendered to El Salvador’s mega-prison. We only know 257 of their names—and not because the US or Salvadoran governments shared them.
It shouldn't be up to civil society to compile things like this table. Of course, none of this should be happening at all.
See admis.me/b/2un
It shouldn't be up to civil society to compile things like this table. Of course, none of this should be happening at all.
See admis.me/b/2un
April 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
288 people have been rendered to El Salvador’s mega-prison. We only know 257 of their names—and not because the US or Salvadoran governments shared them.
It shouldn't be up to civil society to compile things like this table. Of course, none of this should be happening at all.
See admis.me/b/2un
It shouldn't be up to civil society to compile things like this table. Of course, none of this should be happening at all.
See admis.me/b/2un
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
I had been doubtful that we were going to have a "this is the crisis moment" with Trump, as opposed to "everything about this is a destructive catastrophe."
But the Abrego Garcia case is the crisis moment.
1/
But the Abrego Garcia case is the crisis moment.
1/
April 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I had been doubtful that we were going to have a "this is the crisis moment" with Trump, as opposed to "everything about this is a destructive catastrophe."
But the Abrego Garcia case is the crisis moment.
1/
But the Abrego Garcia case is the crisis moment.
1/
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Before press came in — but while live feed was running on Bukele’s feed — Trump said to him: “home-growns are next. … You’re gonna need to build about 5 more places.”
x.com/nayibbukele/...
x.com/nayibbukele/...
x.com
April 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Before press came in — but while live feed was running on Bukele’s feed — Trump said to him: “home-growns are next. … You’re gonna need to build about 5 more places.”
x.com/nayibbukele/...
x.com/nayibbukele/...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Rare earths & other critical minerals are discussed in our new @unu-wider.bsky.social open access book. Download via www.wider.unu.edu/publication/...
UNU-WIDER : Book : Resources Matter
Almost everything that is essential to modern society—transport and power systems, buildings, machinery, and medical devices—depends upon metals, minerals, and stone as well as oil and natural gas whi...
www.wider.unu.edu
April 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Rare earths & other critical minerals are discussed in our new @unu-wider.bsky.social open access book. Download via www.wider.unu.edu/publication/...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
The letter sent to Harvard shows why they and every other institution have no choice but to resist. It would amount to a government takeover of the university, giving the Trump regime control over hiring and admissions. www.harvard.edu/research-fun...
www.harvard.edu
April 14, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The letter sent to Harvard shows why they and every other institution have no choice but to resist. It would amount to a government takeover of the university, giving the Trump regime control over hiring and admissions. www.harvard.edu/research-fun...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Translated primary sources for teaching the history of ethnicity in medieval China. A fabulous resource! #GlobalMiddleAges #MedievalSky www.academia.edu/community/ln...
April 14, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Translated primary sources for teaching the history of ethnicity in medieval China. A fabulous resource! #GlobalMiddleAges #MedievalSky www.academia.edu/community/ln...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
Unprecedented corruption happening right in front of us
Someone bought 30,000 SPY call options at 1:01 pm, just 29 minutes before Trump announced pausing tariffs. Options cost $0.85 each ($2.5M total) and jumped to $25+ each ($70M+) after the announcement.
The timing, volume, and precision are virtually impossible by coincidence.
The timing, volume, and precision are virtually impossible by coincidence.
April 12, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Unprecedented corruption happening right in front of us
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
I gave a campus talk last night on Trump's first 100 days for the WUD Society & Politics group. A student asked me if I thought that, at some point, we might start to describe the US as a competitive authoritarian regime. I said that we were already there, it's just that most folks haven't noticed:
February 26, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I gave a campus talk last night on Trump's first 100 days for the WUD Society & Politics group. A student asked me if I thought that, at some point, we might start to describe the US as a competitive authoritarian regime. I said that we were already there, it's just that most folks haven't noticed:
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
American Social Security Administration is cutting staff and shifting all its communications to X, owned by Musk.
You could not make up the corruption now in US politics
www.wired.com/story/social...
You could not make up the corruption now in US politics
www.wired.com/story/social...
The Social Security Administration Is Gutting Regional Staff and Shifting All Public Communications to X
The SSA’s shift to Elon Musk’s X comes as the agency plans to cut its regional office workforce by roughly 90 percent, WIRED has learned.
www.wired.com
April 12, 2025 at 6:11 AM
American Social Security Administration is cutting staff and shifting all its communications to X, owned by Musk.
You could not make up the corruption now in US politics
www.wired.com/story/social...
You could not make up the corruption now in US politics
www.wired.com/story/social...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
As of today all foreigners in America are required to carry proof of our status with us at all times. Print off your i-94s
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?r...
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?r...
April 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM
As of today all foreigners in America are required to carry proof of our status with us at all times. Print off your i-94s
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?r...
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?r...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
I’m not kidding; this is DOGE at work; multiple US citizens getting notices that they just leave the country because USCIS is revoking their humanitarian parole.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
April 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I’m not kidding; this is DOGE at work; multiple US citizens getting notices that they just leave the country because USCIS is revoking their humanitarian parole.
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Rachel M Gisselquist
AI's electricity demand is accelerating: by 2030 data centres will consume as much energy as Japan today, says new @IEA report.
Much of the energy will come from renewables & gas (though Trump is inevitably trying to promote coal).
www.iea.org/reports/ener...
Much of the energy will come from renewables & gas (though Trump is inevitably trying to promote coal).
www.iea.org/reports/ener...
Energy and AI – Analysis - IEA
Energy and AI - Analysis and key findings. A report by the International Energy Agency.
www.iea.org
April 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
AI's electricity demand is accelerating: by 2030 data centres will consume as much energy as Japan today, says new @IEA report.
Much of the energy will come from renewables & gas (though Trump is inevitably trying to promote coal).
www.iea.org/reports/ener...
Much of the energy will come from renewables & gas (though Trump is inevitably trying to promote coal).
www.iea.org/reports/ener...
♻️ What do we know about plastic reuse models in LMICs?
📚 See this new rapid evidence review by @gsdrc.org's William Avis:
📚 See this new rapid evidence review by @gsdrc.org's William Avis:
Plastic reuse schemes hold the potential to hugely reduce plastic #pollution driven by single-use plastics.
But how can these models be scaled effectively in low- and middle-income countries?
William Avis explores here 🔗
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/sca...
#ZeroWaste #Sustainability
But how can these models be scaled effectively in low- and middle-income countries?
William Avis explores here 🔗
k4d.ids.ac.uk/resource/sca...
#ZeroWaste #Sustainability
Scaling plastic reuse models in LMICs
This review explores the effectiveness of scaling plastic reuse models in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
k4d.ids.ac.uk
April 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
♻️ What do we know about plastic reuse models in LMICs?
📚 See this new rapid evidence review by @gsdrc.org's William Avis:
📚 See this new rapid evidence review by @gsdrc.org's William Avis: