Matthew, associate professor of planning, policy & design, studies the complex social and environmental factors that have led to the proliferation of “blood diamonds” in Rwanda, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rebel forces in these areas use diamonds to finance their violent opposition to the government. Fighting for access to and control of natural resources such as diamonds has resulted in many civilian casualties. Matthew works with the United Nations in Africa as a senior expert on environment, conflict and peacebuilding. He recently conducted field research in the Albertine Rift, one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically unique regions of Africa – and the site of much political and social violence.