Christopher High

I joined Peace and Development Studies at LNU in 2016, from the Open University in the UK.  With a focus on learning and communication in peace and development, I have enjoyed teaching face to face after a decade of leading distance learning projects, and building up a new set of research ties in Sweden.

Teaching

I am programme director for the International Social Sciences Programme, as well as teaching on the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in peace and development.  My focus is on research methods, development studies and sustainable development.  The classes cover both theory and practice, and I supervise the masters students in practical fieldwork projects in the local community.

Previous teaching includes online courses in video production, systems thinking and environmental studies.  I also participated in research student training at the Open University over a 15 year period, and supervised 6 PhD students to completion.

Research

My research encompasses applied social science in sub-Saharan Africa, India and Europe.  I have worked on the governance of rural development, adaptation to climate change and participatory research methods, reported on in academic publications, videos and community initiatives. I convened the International Visual Methods Steering group from 2013 to 2017, and have supported training and capacity building in participatory video for researchers and activists since 2005.  

Current work focuses on social issues around the integration of refugees and migrants in Sweden and supporting teachers in higher education to use visual methods in online teaching in Europe and South Africa, and working with universities in Central Asia to incorporate sustainability into the teaching of agriculture and food production.