We Produce Evidence-Based Policy Options & Agenda-Setting Research
Constitutional Transitions produces evidence-based policy options for decision-makers that equip them to design better and more effective constitution building processes. Our work is field-driven, and designed for use in the field. Our projects focus on issues which are of critical importance to the success of constitutional transitions, and in respect of which there has been a lack of adequate, up-to-date research — a lacuna that has impeded the effectiveness of technical assistance.
Constitutional Transitions also produces agenda-setting research, by examining issues that have been under-examined and which are of great contemporary significance. We bring together theory and practice, making both stronger in the process.
Our current projects are:
- Territory and Power in Constitutional Transitions.
- Security Sector Oversight: Protecting Democratic Consolidation from Authoritarian Backsliding & Partisan Abuse.
- Security Sector Reform & Constitutional Transitions in Emerging Democracies.
We Partner with Front-Line Organizations
Constitutional Transitions partners with a global network of multilateral organizations, think tanks and NGOs. Our partners are involved at every stage of our work — project conceptualization, recruitment of experts, workshops and conferences, and the drafting, publication and dissemination of research outputs. Our lead partner is International IDEA.
We Create Global Knowledge Networks
Constitutional Transitions generates and mobilizes knowledge in support of constitution building by assembling and leading international networks of experts. Our experts are senior policy practitioners and leading scholars who have vast field experience and are engaged at the forefront of their fields. We have worked with over 50 experts from more than 25 countries.
We Publish Journal Articles, Opinions, Policy Manuals, Reports, & Working Papers
Constitutional Transitions' publications include:
- Constitutional Transitions Clinic Reports.
- Consolidating the Arab Spring Working Paper Series.
- Meeting the Challenges of Emerging Constitutional Democracy Working Paper Series.
- Constitutional Transitions/Democracy Reporting International Working Papers.
- I•CON Symposium: Constitutional Transitions in the Middle East.
The Constitutional Transitions Clinic
Constitutional Transitions ran the Constitutional Transitions Clinic at the New York University School of Law (from 2012 to 2014), which provided “back office” research support to constitutional advisors in the field, and deployed faculty experts and field researchers for support on the ground. We met field missions’ needs for comprehensive research, dramatically enhancing their effectiveness and efficiency in their role as policy advisors and actors.