Members
Dan Sanaren is a dedicated researcher and data analyst specializing in conflict, violence, and policing in West Africa. He holds a Research Master’s from Sciences Po Paris and a Bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration on Africa from the same institution. Currently, he serves as the Head of Data Analysis for Mali at The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program, where he has designed and coordinated extensive research on topics including conflict, climate change, health, and mental health.
Dan leads the Mali Conflict Mapping Project, aimed at providing a data-driven analysis of the ongoing conflict in Mali. His expertise in data visualization has been crucial in creating dissemination products for stakeholders, including Foreign Ministries and Embassies.
In addition, Dan has collaborated with the Center of International Studies (CERI) at Sciences Po, coordinating research on civil society perceptions across seven West and Central African countries. This project delves into the prevalent “anti-French” and “anti-Western” sentiments, as well as attitudes toward sovereignist movements and military governments in the region.
Prior to his current role, Dan worked with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, focusing specifically on Mali. He contributed to the report “Listen to Us!”: Local Perceptions of Populations in Central Mali, which highlights local experiences of violence in one of the country’s most conflict-afflicted areas. Additionally, he conducted research on the mining sector and protection mechanisms in Mali.
Throughout his career, Dan has engaged in various projects related to peacebuilding in Africa, UNDP financing, and the impact of conflict on children, collaborating with the World Bank and United Nations agencies, as well as civil society organizations in Europe and Africa.