Sandra Petersen has over 20 years of experience in development work, human rights and peacebuilding, both in Norway and internationally. She has worked closely with people and projects in conflict and post-conflict areas, and over the years has contributed to organisational development, leadership, and political and financial support that strengthens civil society, and has promoted human rights and support for vulnerable groups in challenging contexts.

Sandra holds a master’s degree from SOAS, University of London, with a focus on the Middle East, international law and diplomacy, as well as a cand.mag. degree from the University of Oslo, including law, history of religion and Middle East studies. She has broad experience from work at the intersection of academia, politics and practice, and has contributed to a number of initiatives promoting international cooperation between various state and non-state actors, including as former head of the Human Rights Fund for more than ten years. Today she combines research and practice: she is pursuing a doctorate at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the University of Oslo, and works as a special advisor at the Human Rights Fund. She has been associated with the Afghanistan Committee in various roles and periods since 2003, both as an employee and through positions of trust, including in the former Women’s Committee and now on the board.