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. 
• 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

Other impact

• Media engagement: interviewed by media outlets including the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), Voice of America News (United States), NK News (South Korea), Devex (United States), Information (Denmark), and Special Broadcasting Service (Australia) 
• Public engagement: moderator for panel 'Should We Visit North Korea?' At Hong Kong International Literaty Festival (November 2016), speaker at Lawrence Academy event 'Live Action Leader – Alumni Series' (December 2022), speaker at SIB Groningen event 'Challenges of Humanitarian Access in Conflict Areas' (June 2024), discussant at Cinema Politica Groningen screening of Notes on Displacement documentary by Khaled Jarrar (March 2025), speaker at Reah International event 'Opening Doors - The Practicalities of Humanitarian Engagement in the DPRK' (August 2025) 
• Policy and advocacy: invited contributor to Save the Children submission to Parliamentary Inquiry (2020), invited panelist to Médecins sans Frontières ‘Becoming the MSF We Want to Be’ discussion (2021), invited panelist to Centre for a New American Security ‘Addressing the Adverse Effects of Economic Sanctions on Humanitarian Aid Efforts in North Korea’ event (2022)
• Collaboration with humanitarian organisations: invited by Doctors without Borders Australia to present a lecture and run a workshop on North Korea (2020); four years experience conducting volunteer research with Doctors without Borders Hong Kong (2013 - 2018); support for research by Humanitarian Advisory Group (2022); Academic Panel member for IARAN's Future of Aid 2040 project (2024 - present)

Languages

• English (native speaker)
• Spanish (heritage speaker)
• French (intermediate)
• Dutch (beginner)
• Korean (beginner)