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Dr. Catherine Akurut

Independent Researcher and Freelance Writer
I turn complex research into clear, accessible, and actionable communication for the organisations doing work that matters.

About

With a PhD in Conflict Management and over a decade of qualitative research across Africa, my work has always centred one question: whose safety is being protected, and who is being left out? I bring that same clarity of purpose to every research communication project I take on, identifying what matters, framing it for the right audience, and producing outputs that drive understanding and action. My research has been conducted across multiple African contexts, including Uganda, South Africa, and Tanzania, giving me grounded familiarity with the policy, humanitarian, and governance landscapes that shape work in this region.

Why work with me rather than using an AI agent directly? Because getting useful output from AI requires expertise that most researchers and organisations do not have time to develop. I craft detailed prompts, build the right context for each task, select the appropriate model for the work, verify references and factual claims, identify and correct for bias, and edit for coherence and purpose. The difference between raw AI output and something you can confidently publish or present is the layer of skilled human judgment that sits over it. That layer is what I provide.

AI tools assist with efficiency. The thinking, the structure, and the quality control are mine.

The services below reflect where that expertise is most directly applied.

Services

Research Summary Brief

Condensing a long report or study into a clear 500 to 1,000 word summary for a non-specialist audience.
$150 to $300

Ugandan and East African Context Consultancy

Background research, contextual framing, and expert review for projects covering Uganda or East Africa. For international organisations, researchers, journalists, and practitioners needing grounded regional insight.
$150 to $400

Policy Brief

A structured 1,500 to 2,500 word brief with findings, analysis, and actionable recommendations for policymakers or funders.
$400 to $600

Multi-Source Synthesis

Synthesising multiple research sources into one coherent 2,500 to 5,000 word output with clear structure and narrative.
$700 to $1,200

Custom Engagement

Longer or recurring projects discussed on a case by case basis. Retainer arrangements available for ongoing work.
Quote on request

Content Development and Editing

Reviewing, restructuring, and refining blog posts, articles, or web content for clarity, consistency, and purpose. Suitable for researchers, practitioners, and organisations communicating complex ideas to broader audiences.
Quote on request

Credentials

The work below represents the research background and track record underpinning these services.

  • Published analysis: "When the System Is the Weapon: A Kill Chain Analysis of AI-Enabled Humanitarian Harm." The Architecture of Exclusion, Substack (2026). Read article
  • Published working paper: "Frameworks That Cannot See: How AI Governance Is Repeating the Recognition Failures of Humanitarian Response." SSRN (2026). Read article
  • Published analysis: "Designed for Whom? A Question AI Governance Frameworks Have Yet to Answer." The Architecture of Exclusion, Substack (2026). Read article
  • Presenter, African Studies Association Annual Meeting, USA (2022).
  • Presenter, Herrenhausen Symposium, Leibniz University and Volkswagenstiftung, Germany (2022).
  • Fellowship Reviewer, SSRC Next Generation of Social Sciences in Africa, 37 applications assessed (2021–2023).
  • Research report for Journalists for Human Rights, Canada, informing regional media strategy across Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa (2020).
  • Peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs (2020). Read article
  • Policy brief on conflict-related sexual violence developed and delivered through the PRB Fellowship (2019).
  • Over $13,000 in competitive international research funding, including Social Science Research Council (x2), Carnegie Corporation, and Population Reference Bureau.
  • PhD in Conflict Management, Nelson Mandela University. Dissertation: "Conflict-Related Sexual Violence against Males: Recognition by and Responses of Humanitarian Organisations in Africa."

Contact

To discuss a project or request a quote, reach out directly. Response within 72 hours.
Payment accepted via Grey, mobile money, or bank transfer.
cathakurut [at] gmail [dot] com