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Experts on countries of origin by surname

Laizer, Sheri J

Extensive experience in expert reports on all the countries listed, and also in particular, Kurds in country of origin and diaspora

Occupation: Freelance writer & broadcast journalist since 1985 specializing in the Near East; photographer; political commentator, Middle East country of origin specialist
Countries of expertise: Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria, Turkey

Laker, Frederick

Dr. Laker is a seasoned conflict, security and development practitioner with 15 years of experience with a specialized focus on forced displacement, gender, security sector reform, international humanitarian law, and transitional justice. Dr. Laker's consulting, research, and academic interests are grounded in the field of defence, strategic studies and international relations. He is currently Assistant Professor in international humanitarian law, conflict, security, military ethics, humanitarianism, and air, land, and sea operations to both junior and senior military officers, at Zayed Military University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. His book manuscript, Rethinking Internal Displacement: Geo-Political Games, Fragile States, & the Relief Industry was published in 2021. 

Occupation: Academic- Assistant Professor
Countries of expertise: Uganda

Landesmann, Sonya

Intercultural and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, specialising in issues relevant to various Muslim countries, incl vendettas, honour killing, domestic violence, PTSD, Rape Trauma Syndrome, assault in detention and traumas of migration and exile.

Occupation: Intercultural and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Formerly taught English to speakers of other languages. Also worked for the Refugee Council, Goldsmiths’ College, and Nafsiyat Inter cultural Therapy Centre.
Countries of expertise: Albania, Iran, Iraq, Turkey

Lasco, Gideon

Gideon Lasco, MD, PhD is a physician and medical anthropologist. He is senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Diliman's Department of Anthropology, affiliate faculty at the UP College of Medicine’s Social Medicine Unit, research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University's Development Studies Program, and honorary fellow at Hong Kong University's Centre for Criminology. 

Occupation: Medical Anthropologist
Countries of expertise: Philippines

Lawrance, Benjamin Nicholas

Academic and practicing attorney, based in USA (admitted to AZ bar), experienced in written and oral expert reports in variety of national formats, on many social groups and diverse matters in West Africa and Africa broadly.

Depending on issue/claim basis, I may be able to provide expertise on any country in West Africa. I have testified and provided expertise for cases from: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Occupation: Professor of History (and Law by courtesy), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Countries of expertise: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d`Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

Leclerc-Madlala, Suzanne

Professor Leclerc-Madlala is an anthropologist whose research and publications since 1995 have focused on the intersections of culture, sexuality, gender and HIV in Africa, especially in South Africa and in relation to young women’s vulnerability. Her academic work as former Professor and Head of the Anthropology Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal was complimented by active involvement in the design, implementation and evaluation of HIV programs in South Africa and its neighboring countries. Currently working as a Senior Advisor for HIV and health with the US Agency for International Development, Professor Leclerc-Madlala got her start in development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Gabon. 

Prof Leclerc-Madlala has worked as a consultant to UNAIDS, SADC, the World Bank, and WHO, as well as to several regional non-government organizations and community-based organizations. She helped to draft South Africa’s Sexual Offences Act and the Children’s Bill and authored UNAIDS’ 2009 Action Brief on Inter-generational and Transactional sex in Southern Africa. She worked with the Commission on Gender Equality, the South African Law Commission and other legal bodies to assess various cultural and medical practices for human rights violations.… Read more

Occupation: Anthropologist- Senior Advisor
Countries of expertise: Gabon, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Levy, Jordan

Jordan Levy is a sociocultural anthropologist with a research program focused on state formation, political culture, and out-migration in Honduras. He has been studying Honduras and conducting non-governmental (NGO) work in the country since 2001. He was present during the 2009 military coup, and has since studied how these events polarized Honduran society and have increased different forms of violence. 

Dr. Levy's doctoral dissertation focused on the political activism of schoolteachers and post-coup policies of governance. During the course of conducting ethnographic research inside Honduran schools he learned a great deal about Hondurans' experiences with violence – including gang violence and gender-based violence. At the University of Connecticut he teaches courses on contemporary Latin America, and the Anthropology of Migration.

Occupation: Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Countries of expertise: Honduras

Lijong, Carl Sapoär

Carl Lijong is a distinguished diplomat with robust experience in regional diplomacy and strategic planning within Suriname’s Foreign Ministry. His leadership in Brazil and within Surinamese national development frameworks reflects his ability to harmonize policy with implementation. A trained expert in resultsbased management and international cooperation, Carl’s multilingual and multicultural expertise makes him a powerful asset in diplomatic and policy coordination arenas.

Occupation: Carl Lijong is a highly respected Surinamese diplomat and
public policy expert with over 15 years of experience in foreign
affairs, diplomatic service, and results-based public sector
management. He brings deep strategic insight into bilateral
relations, particularly with Brazil, and is skilled in aligning
ministerial initiatives with national development goals. Carl’s
international education and multilingualism make him a
versatile and impactful contributor to global cooperation and diplomacy.
Countries of expertise: Austria, Brazil, China, Indonesia

Llewellyn, Robin

Robin Llewellyn is a natural communicator with a gift for amplifying marginalized voices. With over a decade of experience as a journalist and media strategist, he has not only reported on human rights abuses but actively helped shape narratives for indigenous and environmental defenders. His cross-cultural communication, creative storytelling, and policy-savvy writing make him a powerful bridge between communities and decision-makers. Robin doesn’t just tell stories, he helps people be heard. He would be a valuable addition to any team seeking clarity, compassion, and compelling communication.

Occupation: Robin Llewellyn is a seasoned communications specialist and
award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience giving
voice to underrepresented communities. His work spans human
rights journalism in Latin America, cultural program coordination
across Europe, and public policy communication for governments
and NGOs. Robin’s storytelling spans formats- radio, print, social
media, and strategic publications and he’s been published in
outlets like The Economist and Le Monde Diplomatique. His
bilingual training in journalism and human rights, paired with
global fieldwork, makes him a compelling
advocate for justice through narrative.
Countries of expertise: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Peru, Rwanda, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Logvinenko, Igor

Dr. Logvinenko is an expert in autocratization, democracy, and rule-of-law institutions. He is a tenured Associate Professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College. His research and commentary have been published in highly regarded academic journals such as Communist and Post-Communist Studies, Democratization, European Journal of Politics and Gender, Europe-Asia Studies, and Russian Politics, among others. I have also contributed to popular publications such as The Washington Post. His first book, Global Finance and Local Control: Corruption and Wealth in Contemporary Russia, was published by Cornell University Press in 2021 and received the co-winner of the 2023 Best Book Award given by the International Political Economy section of the International Studies Association. He holds a doctorate in Government from Cornell University and has taught at Wellesley College, the Cornell-in-Washington Program, the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, and the Monterey Institute for International Studies. As a native of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, he studied Physics and Mathematics at Lyceum #61.

Occupation: Associate Professor of Diplomacy and World Affairs
Countries of expertise: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine

Lonita, Alina

Alina Ionita is a dynamic expert in economic diplomacy and public affairs, known for building commercial bridges between Northern and Eastern Europe. Her multifaceted roles in embassies, consultancy, and government have made her a trusted partner in advancing bilateral cooperation. She brings valuable linguistic fluency and cross- sectoral knowledge, with a proven record in project management and policy advisory. Alina is ideally positioned to enhance any initiative requiring multicultural negotiation, policy intelligence, and commercial strategy.

Occupation: Alina Lonita is a seasoned public affairs consultant and
economic diplomat with over two decades of experience
bridging business, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
Her professional background spans economic diplomacy,
public policy, commercial consulting, and cultural affairs,
primarily linking Finland, Denmark, and Korea to Romania. She
is known for her strategic insight, cross-cultural fluency, and
ability to lead complex, multi-country projects. Alina brings a
sharp combination of economic acumen and legal
knowledge to
promote bilateral investments and international development
initiatives
Countries of expertise: Denmark, Finland, Romania, South Korea, United Kingdom

Lorusso, Marilisa

Marilisa Lorusso is a regular contributor to Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa, an Italian think tank and online magazine with approximately 5,000 daily views.

She has been deployed by the Italian Foreign Ministry as an expert for post-war civilian monitoring missions in Georgia. Additionally, she has served in a non-diplomatic capacity at the Geneva International Discussions on the Georgian peace settlement while based at the European Union Council in Brussels.

Occupation: COUNTRY OF ORIGIN EXPERT – Armenia, Georgia, Russian Federation
Countries of expertise: Armenia, Georgia, Russia