User:Cdjoseph

Chris Joseph (Christopher Daniel Joseph, born 3 November 1977) is currently a PhD Candidate at the National School of Surveying,  University of Otago,  New Zealand.

Recent research
The over-arching goal of Chris's doctoral research has been to address the conceptual and practical separation that exists between land tenure reform in post-conflict societies and the process of human development. This has been achieved by assessing rural land tenure in post-conflict Cambodia and examining its relationship with various dimensions of human security.

Research themes
Chris's research has been interdisciplinary, contributing to several research themes that intersect development studies. The following sections describe three of these themes.

Post-conflict sustainable development

 * See also: sustainable development and/or  conflict resolution

Chris's research has examined the outcomes of land tenure reform and how they influence the potential for sustainable development following a prolonged period of conflict. Sustainable development is a pattern of economic growth in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. The concept ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges faced by humanity.

Land tenure reform

 * See also: Land tenure,  land law, and/or  land administration

Chris's research has examined changes to individual well-being following the introduction of a new land tenure regime. Land tenure represents the relationship between individuals in regard to land. As a basic component of land administration and land management systems, land tenure is an important consideration for human development as it can affect the social and economic stability of societies.

Human Security

 * ''See also: Human security

Chris's research has used a human security framework to characterise people's current level of well-being. Although there continues to be some disagreement among scholars regarding a specific definition for human security, the definition proposed by the United Nations' Commission on Human Security (CHS) is perhaps the most widely accepted. Their final report states that the aim of human security is:

"...to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment. Human security means protecting fundamental freedoms – freedoms that are the essence of life. It means protecting people from critical (severe) and pervasive (widespread) threats and situations. It means using processes that build on people’s strengths and aspirations. It means creating political, social, environmental, economic, military and cultural systems that together give people the building blocks of survival, livelihood and dignity."

Qualifications
Master of Arts, Political Science, University of Waterloo, 2007

Bachelor or Arts (Hons), Political Science, University of Guelph, 2006

Professional activities

 * 2009-2012 Guest lecturer/ Tutorial instructor/  Teaching assistant
 * 2008, 2002 School teacher
 * 2007, 1997 Research assistant
 * 2002-2006, 1999-2000 E-learning system design and support
 * 2000-2001 ICT manager

Personal background
Chris is a citizen of Canada and the  United Kingdom. Throughout the early years of his life Chris lived mainly in the city of Guelph, Canada. He has also lived in London, United Kingdom;  Auckland, New Zealand;  Hamilton, New Zealand;  Hong Kong SAR; and  Seoul, Republic of Korea. Chris currently lives with his partner (Emily) in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand.