Government Department

Government Department

West Africa Transitional Justice (WATJ) Project

This ongoing research study directed by Professor David Backer examines the choices that countries make following periods of violent conflict with respect to addressing past violations of human rights.  In particular, its focuses on the responses of the victims of these abuses, assessing their priorities, their evaluations of these decisions, the nature of their engagement with formal processes and the extent to which such exposures affect their political attitudes, agency and behaviors.  The comparative analysis relies on primary data that is being collected in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the US via focus groups, surveys and in-depth interviews, involving nearly 3000 respondents.

Students involved:
Katie Huenerberg
Mark Johnson
Anne Marie Kidd
John Stanford
Sam Wheeler

Sources of funding:
National Science Foundation
US Institute of Peace
College of William & Mary
- Charles Center
- Dean of Faculty of Arts & Sciences
- Department of Government
- Technology Integration Program
- Vice Provost for Research