N.A. (Nazanin) Zadeh-Cummings, Dr

Qualifications

• University Teaching Qualification/Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs, University of Groningen, May 2024
• Graduate Certificate, Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Deakin University, 2020
• PhD, Asian and International Studies, City University of Hong Kong, 2019
• MA, International Humanitarian Action, Ruhr-Universität Bochum [Germany]/Université catholique de Louvain, 2013
• MA (Honours), International Relations, University of Edinburgh, 2011
• Certificat d’Etudes Politiques (Certificate of Political Studies), Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble, 2010

Employment

• Assistant Professor in International Relations and Humanitarian Action, November 2023 – present: University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
• Senior Lecturer, January 2023 – September 2023; Lecturer, August 2018 – December 2022: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
• Associate Director of Research, December 2019 – September 2023: Centre for Humanitarian Leadership (CHL) at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
• Teaching Assistant, September 2014 – August 2017; City University of Hong Kong

Publications

• Zadeh-Cummings, N., Bakama Bope, E., and Grace, R. (2025). 'Humanitarian Access,' in An Introduction to Humanitarian Action, K. Ratdke and K. Roepstorff (eds.). Routledge. 

Conference Papers and Invited Talks

• Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2025). ‘Understanding the impact of humanitarian engagement in North Korea,’ paper presented at the conference The Korean Peninsula and Other Divided Nations at the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus Campus. 

• Son, S. A., Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Chubb, D. (2025). 'Participatory Transitional Justice as Anticipatory Project: North Korea, Diasporas and Uncertain Futures,' International Journal of Transitional Justice. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijtj/ijaf006  
• Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2025). ‘Understanding the impact of humanitarian engagement in North Korea,’ paper presented at the conference The Korean Peninsula and Other Divided Nations at the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus Campus. 
• Coghlan, R., Zadeh-Cummings, N., Petrova, M., and Spiegel, P. (2024). ‘The “new-old” dimensions of caring in humanitarian response: The opportunity for public health palliative care to advance humanitarian-development nexus, decoloniality, and localization thought.’ INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organisation, Provision, and Financing, 61. 
• Saha, M., Zadeh-Cummings, N., McGlasson, M. A., and Brockington, S. (2024). ‘“For them it’s not the work, it’s the life”: humanitarian leadership development in the Global South,’ Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 9(article n.10).  
• Zadeh-Cummings, N.  (2024). ‘Mirroring in humanitarian action: Localisation, NGOs, and authoritarianism,’ paper presented at the conference Understanding Authoritarianism at University of Ostrava. 

o Zadeh-Cummings, N., Janz, K., Banfill, J., Barret, J., and Bennett, I. (2023). ‘(Re)Engagement with the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Dialogue and planning for future opportunity.’ Centre for Humanitarian Leadership report. Available at: https://centreforhumanitarianleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IFES-brief.pdf [Korean version available at: https://centreforhumanitarianleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IFES-brief_KO.pdf].  

o  Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2023). ‘Humanitarian aid,’in Elgar Encyclopedia of Development, Matthew Clarke and Xinyu Zhao (eds.), Edward Elgar Publishing, 341-345.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2023). ‘Shaping the Humanitarian Arena: South Korean, American, and Christian NGOs in North Korea,’ in Korea and the Global Society, Yonson Ahn (ed.). Routledge, 17-36.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., Toole, N., Duckworth, M., and Pujiono, P. ‘Beyond “Humanitarian Organisations”: A Whole of Community Approach to Emergencies.’ 2023 Humanitarian Leadership Conference (26-28 April 2023, Centre for Humanitarian Leadership - Melbourne, Australia).

o   Chubb, D., and Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2023). ‘International engagement with North Korea: Disability, human rights and humanitarian aid,’ Third World Quarterly, 40(1), 134-151.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2022). ‘Humanitarian (Re)engagement: Supporting North Korean Human Security in the Age of COVID-19,’ in The Future of the Korean Peninsula and Beyond: Next Generation Policy Perspectives. National Committee on American Foreign Policy. https://www.ncafp.org/(...)nsula-and-Beyond.pdf

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2022). ‘Through the looking glass: Coloniality and mirroring in localisation.’ Humanitarian Leader, working paper 031. http://doi.org/10.21153/thl2022art1693

o   Stibral, A. A., Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Clarke, M. (2022). ‘Mastering humanitarianism? A survey of postgraduate humanitarian courses.’ Higher Education, 84, 741-760.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., Son, S., and Chubb, D. (2022). ‘Preparing for transitional justice in North Korea.’ Australian Journal of International Affairs, 76(2), 121-129.

o   Stibral, A. A., Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Clarke, M. ‘Mastering Humanitarianism? A Survey of Postgraduate Humanitarian Action Courses;’ and Chubb, D., and Zadeh-Cummings, N. ‘Finding Space for Engagement with North Korea: Disability Issues in Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid,’ papers presented at 6^th World Conference on Humanitarian Studies 2021, Sciences Po (virtual attendance).

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2021). ‘Why Diversity Matters for Humanitarian Negotiation.’ Centre for Humanitarian Leadership. Available at https://centreforhumanitarianleadership.org/(...)tarian-negotiation/ .

o   Banfill, J., Barrett, J., Vitantonio, C., and Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2021). ‘Opening Doors in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.’ Humanitarian Leader, working paper 15. https://doi.org/(...)hl2021volno0art1314.

o   Banfill, J., Barrett, J., Vitantonio, C., and Zadeh-Cummings, N.  (2021). ‘Opening Doors in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,’ presentation at the 2021 Humanitarian Leadership Conference, Centre for Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University (virtual conference).

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2021). ‘Need, Aid, and Root Causes: The Appropriateness of Humanitarian Response in the DPRK.’ Global NK. https://globalnk.org/(...)?cd=COM000048#_ftn16

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2020). ‘Resetting Humanitarian Engagement with North Korea? Lessons from History,’ paper presented at North Korea International: (Re)Evaluating, (Re)Viewing, and (Re)Connecting in a COVID World, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Institute for Far Eastern Studies, Kyungnam University (virtual attendance).

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Harris, L. (2020). ‘Humanitarian Aid in North Korea: Needs, Sanctions and Future Challenges.’ Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, report. Available at: https://centreforhumanitarianleadership.org/(...)d-future-challenges/.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Harris, L. (2020). ‘Impacts of Sanctions against North Korea on Humanitarian Aid.’ Journal of Humanitarian Affairs, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.7227/JHA.033.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., Book, M., and Harris, L. (2019). ‘Humanitarianism in the DPRK: Sanctions and Future Directions,’ paper presented at 2019 Asia Pacific Humanitarian Leadership Conference, Centre for Humanitarian Leadership and at World Congress for Korean Politics and Society 2019, Konkuk University.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2017). ‘Humanitarian Principles and Dilemmas in the DPRK,’ paper presented at International Studies Association International Conference, University of Hong Kong.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2017) ‘Humanitarian Aid in North Korea: Trust and Personal Relationships,’ paper presented at World Congress for Korean Politics and Society, Yonsei University.

o   Bagherzadeh, N. (2016). ‘Humanitarian and Development Aid in the DPRK,’ paper presented at New Authoritarianism in Asia Conference, Ewha Woman’s University.

 o   Bagherzadeh, N. (2014). ‘Death in Disaster: Actions and Attitudes Towards Dead Body Management After Disasters in Yogyakarta.’ (Working Paper Vol. 4, No. 2). Bochum: IFHV, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Available at: http://www.ifhv.de/(...)kingpapers/wp4_2.pdf

Selected Media

o  Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2025, 30 January). 'To Build Peaceful Coexistence with North Korea, Focus on Ordinary North Koreans.' United States Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/publications/2025/01/build-peaceful-coexistence-north-korea-focus-ordinary-north-koreans  

o Corrado, J., featuring James, S., Zadeh-Cummings, N., and De Angelis, M. (2023, 4 December). ‘New Perspectives: Emerging Leaders Reframe North Korea Policy.’ Discussions with the Next Gen Korean Peninsula Specialists [podcast]. National Committee on American Foreign Policy. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6muh679nLJe81zwy40tqoL?si=uycVz-g4TWCck68_RTeXhg&nd=1&dlsi=e92a70f2089c41b3  

o  Parkinson, K. M. featuring Zadeh-Cummings, N. and Grieder, E. (2023, 23 March). 'Navigating Humanitarian Training Pathways in 2023. Humanitarian Leadership Academy's Podcast. https://www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/insights/navigating-humanitarian-training-pathways-in-2023/

o  Zwetsloot, J., featuring Chubb, D., and Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2023, 24 January). ‘Distinguishing between North Korea humanitarianism and human rights – Ep. 272.’ North Korea News Podcast. https://www.nknews.org/(...)rights-ep-272/924132

o   Thornton, S., featuring Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2022, December). ‘Humanitarian (re)engagement: supporting North Korean human security in the age of COVID | Dr. Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings.’ Discussions with the Next Gen Korean Peninsula Specialists [podcast]. National Committee on American Foreign Policy. https://open.spotify.com/(...)hTTqgw6JxCzGw-w&nd=1

o   Habib, B., featuring Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2022, 3 July). ‘Altruistic humanitarianism and transitional justice with Nazanin Zadeh-Cummings.’ Edge Dwellers Café [podcast]. https://edgedwellerscafe.podbean.com/(...)anin-zadeh-cummings/.

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2019, 26 December). ‘Lofty goals in challenging circumstances: UN hopes for North Korean aid in 2020.’ NK News. https://www.nknews.org/(...)-korean-aid-in-2020/

o   Zadeh-Cummings, N., and Spezza, G. (2019, 25 February). ‘Trump-Kim summit II: North Korea’s superficial modernisation.’ Lowy Institute Informer. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/(...)ficial-modernisation.

o   Spezza, G., and Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2019, 25 February). 'North Korea’s silent health crisis.' The New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/(...)silent-health-crisis.

o   Spezza, G. and Zadeh-Cummings, N. (2019, 25 February). 'The Hanoi US-North Korea Summit: Why Pyongyang’s Crippled Economy Is Central.' The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/(...)-economy-is-central/.

Grants

o   Institute for Far Eastern Studies/Ministry of Unification Academic and Policy Research Projects on North Korea and Unification, 2023

Project title: (Re)engagement with North Korea: Dialogue and Planning for Future Opportunity

Role: Chief Investigator

Project partners: Mr James Banfill (Chulalongkorn University)

o   US Agency for International Development (USAID), 2021-2023

Project title: Changing the way the world responds to humanitarian crises: train current and future humanitarian leaders as innovative thinkers and dynamic achievers

Role: Co-investigator

Project partners: Action Against Hunger, CHL, Ms Mary Ana McGlasson (Deakin University), A/Prof Cai Wilkinson (Deakin University), Ms Justine De Rouck (Deakin University), Ms Manika Saha (Deakin University)

o   United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2022

Project title: UNFPA Humanitarian Leadership Training Program

Role: Co-investigator

Project partners: UNFPA, CHL, Ms Mary Ana McGlasson (Deakin University), A/Prof Cai Wilkinson (Deakin University)

o   Korea Foundation Fieldwork Fellowship, 2020

Project title: North Korea’s Approach to International Assistance in Words and Practice

Role: Chief investigator

Project partner: Dr Youngsoo Yu (Kyungnam University)

Note: unable to embark on Fellowship due to COVID-19

o   Academy of Korean Studies Workshop and Conference Grant, 2020

Project title: Transitional Justice and the Korean Peninsula: A Role for Australia

Role: Co-investigator

Project partners: Dr. Danielle Chubb (Deakin University), Dr Sarah Son (University of Sheffield), Transitional Justice Working Group

o   Hong Kong Government Scholarship for PhD studies, 2014 – 2017

 Languages

o   English (native speaker), Spanish (heritage speaker), French (working proficiency), Dutch (beginner), Korean (beginner)