The Brandt School welcomes new Policy Fellows

Dr. Rüya Perincek is a political scientist specializing in minerals, energy, development, and trade policy. As Energy and Climate Policy Lead at FleishmanHillard, she advises multinational companies on EU policies. Previously, at the OECD, she advised on low-carbon transitions in developing economies and led dialogues on sustainable mineral development. She also served as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, shaping EU energy and industrial policies. With a PhD in Sustainable Resources from UCL, her research focused on extractive industries in Chile and Australia. As a fellow at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, Dr Perincek is interested in exploring how to best implement the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Policy, and how to underpin the EU’s Raw Material Partnerships with developing countries with concrete projects, creating win-win outcomes. 

Dr. Atif Ikram Butt, a 2006 graduate of the Brandt School, has over 20 years of experience in social and behavior change communication. He has worked with major international organizations like DFID, GIZ, and UNICEF. Currently, he serves as Section Chief for Public Advocacy and Communication at the United Nations Environment Programme's headquarters in Nairobi, leading global efforts to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. His expertise includes strategy development, media use, partnerships, and communication research. He has pioneered ICT-driven initiatives for children's rights, engaged faith communities in development, and introduced entertainment-education to graduate curricula. He holds a PhD in International Development Studies.

Dr. des. Jalale Getachew Birru  is a Senior Analysis Coordinator for East Africa at Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), focusing on peace, conflict, elections in post-conflict countries, and democratization. She holds a PhD from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, where her research examined conflict triggers in liberal peace theory, as well as a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P) and a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B) from Haramaya University, Ethiopia. She has worked as a public prosecutor, attaché, and peacebuilding officer in Ethiopia, and conducted research at various institutions in Germany and the US, including PRIF.

Andreas Goldthau, director of the Brandt School, highlights: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Perincek, Dr. Butt and Dr. des. Jalale Birru  as our inaugural Policy Fellows. Their great wealth of expertise will be a great resource for the School, our master students and the community as a whole”.