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.
Caste discrimination or persecution, Child soldiers, Climate-related issues, Coercive population control, Deportees/criminal deportees, Disability, Document Authentication, Ethnic discrimination or persecution, Ex-combatant reintegration, Female genital mutilation/circumcision/FGC, Forced conscription, Forced marriage, Gang-related violence/non-state actors, Gender-based violence/domestic violence, Healthcare access/health systems capacity, HIV/AIDS, Journalist persecution, Land tenure disputes, LGBTQ, Likelihood of destitution or homelessness, Mental illness, Military/police service, Political persecution, Prison conditions, Religious discrimination or persecution, Government/state actor persecution, Risk of retaliation, Safe internal relocation, Sexual abuse/assault, Specialized medical services, Sufficiency of protection, Torture, Trafficking Tribal discrimination or persecution, Violence against children/child abuse
Since 2012, I have provided expert testimony in Ugandan asylum cases of the political, social, cultural, security and health country conditions for refugees in order to verify refugee testimony before national immigration authorities.
I have provided testimony in over 30 US immigration cases and 40 UK courts. In all cases my expertise has always been accepted by the government and the client was always been granted asylum.
I have completed the following COI Training Modules
-International Legal Instruments
-Function and Role of COI
-COI Quality Standards and Principles
-Neutrality and Impartiality
-Data Protection
-Understanding Vulnerabilities, Fears, Weaknesses of Refugees
-Research Strategy and Practices
-Knowledge and Assessment of Sources
-Report Writing and Presentation
‘Harnessing the Power of Cinnamon Oil: A Review of Its Potential as Natural Biopesticide and Its Implications for Food Security’, Heliyon (January 2025).
“Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into Development: Effectiveness of DRR Investment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan”, published in “Frontiers in Environmental Science-Interdisciplinary Climate Studies, (December 2024).
The World Bank Group. (June 2024) Co-wrote the Approach Paper on “Advancing Gender Engagement and Closing Gender Gaps in Fragile, Conflict and Violent Situations”. The approach paper is a resource to inform WBG task teams on how to design operations to close gender gaps in FCV contexts.
‘Conceptualising the Relationship of Good Security Sector Governance to the State Security System’, DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, (October 2022)
‘Rethinking Internal Displacement: Geo-Political Games, Fragile States & Relief Aid’. (Berghahn Books, Published: December 2021).
‘The UN/OAU International Commission of Inquiry (2000) and International Crimes in Togo’ in Meierhenrich, Jens (eds.), The Law & Practice of International Commissions of Inquiry, (2024) Oxford University Press.