Biography

I am a second-year PhD student interested in International Security. I completed my undergraduate studies at Concordia University, and my Master’s degree at Université de Montréal. I first became interested in International Relations in Dr. Norrin M. Ripsman’s course. During my Master’s degree, I then became particularly interested in security issues after taking a course on Civil War with Dr. Marie-Joëlle Zahar. Broadly, I seek to understand why conflict occurs, and which factors affect the duration and intensity of conflict. I am also interested in the motivations for Middle Powers to intervene militarily in a conflict. I moved to Toronto in September 2017 to pursue my doctorate in the Political Science department.

Research Interests

I am interested in conflict. More particularly, in civil war, terrorism, and military intervention. I am particularly interested in military interventions by Great Powers and by Middle Powers.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | 2022 (EXPECTED) University of Toronto
  Political Science (International Relations & Comparative Politics)
• Master’s Degree (M.Sc.) | 2017 Université de Montréal
  Political Science, specialization International Security
• Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) | 2015 Concordia University
  Major Political Science, Minor Law

Selected Publications

• Forthcoming (2019)
• Kindarji, Valérie, and Mellor, Lee. “Jihadi Chic: Islamist ‘Soul’ vs. Islamist ‘Skin’”, in Suicide Bombers and Lone Wolf Terrorists – Foot Soldiers or Loose Cannons? eds. Joan Swart and Lee Mellor (San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2019), chapter 9.
• Mellor, Lee, Kindarji, Valérie, and Bhogal, Gurwinder. “Cyber-Recruitment Strategies and Slang,” in Suicide Bombers and Lone Wolf Terrorists – Foot Soldiers or Loose Cannons? eds. Joan Swart and Lee Mellor (San Diego: Cognella Academic Publishing, 2019), chapter 15.
• Kindarji, Valérie. “Middle Power Dilemmas: A Comparative Analysis of Canada’s Foreign Policy in Libya and Syria”, International Studies Association. Toronto, March 2019.

Courses

• POL114 (Globalization)
• POL208 (Introduction to International Relations)