Semester of Graduation
Fall 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Ph.D in Conflict Management
Department
School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Brandon Lundy
Second Advisor
Dr. Chris Pallas
Third Advisor
Dr. Maia Hallward
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Megan Sinnott
Abstract
The work of international development volunteers (IDVs) has uncertain effects and is linked to Westernizing dynamics, and there is a debate on its impact on the broader international development agenda. Concurrently, female empowerment programming – which also holds a large role in development – has similarly uncertain effects, links, and debates. What links these two aspects of development are IDVs. However, scant scholarly attention looks at empowerment work by IDVs. This is important because the literature shows professional female empowerment implementers rely heavily on individual experiences. Furthermore, it shows that IDVs are likely to have less training and more likely to lean on personal experiences when doing their work. Jointly, IDVs may engage in more culturally sensitive ways due to being more relationally integrated. What is unclear is how various personal, organizational, and in-country factors interact with each other.
Using qualitative analysis via semi-structured interviews, this exploratory research examines the experiences and motivations of 28 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) from Peace Corps Cambodia who partook in female empowerment programming during their two-plus year service terms. Looking at pre-service and in-country experiences, interviewees articulated influences on how they conceptualized and approached gender-based development programming, including: one’s upbringing and views on gender; one’s age and gender; one’s adjustment to local dynamics; organizational training, programming, and expectations; in-country challenges and adjustment; local gender dynamics and knowledge sources; and fellow-PCV influences. The study also outlines the IDVs reflection on their perceived impact and how they would approach their gender-based work differently if given the opportunity.