Sydney Leigh Smith (she/her) is a PhD student in Security Studies at Princeton University, co-advised by Kim Lane Scheppele and Barbara Buckinx. She is also a Contributor for Global Voices. Her research focuses on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), the reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), and human rights and humanitarian law.

At the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination (LISD), she is the Fellowship Lead of the Gender and Security Fellowship and Graduate Advisor of the Africa Program. She is also a Principal Research Consultant for the UN Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) and the All Survivors Project (ASP).

She has previously held roles at the Peace Research Institute Oslo, the Clooney Foundation for Justice (Lead Researcher and Project Manager), the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit (DGRU) at the University of Cape Town (International Legal and Policy Consultant), and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Legal Researcher and Data Analyst), where she continues to advise on data tools and women’s and girls rights.

She serves on the Impact Committee of the Sato Project and enjoys spending time with her rescue dogs, Baby and Barnaby.