A remarkable advocate for victims’ rights is celebrating PhD success at Ulster University after a journey defined by perseverance, courage, and commitment to justice.
A trained and practising medical doctor, Fatima Ali Haider’s life changed dramatically after she lost loved ones to terrorism in Pakistan, motivating her to set up a grassroots organisation, known as The Grief Directory, dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges of more than 49,000 civilian victims of terrorism in Pakistan back in 2015.
Fatima moved to Northern Ireland in 2019 with her seven-year-old daughter to begin an MSc in Peace and Conflict Studies at Ulster University.
Speaking of her experience, Fatima said:
“Balancing parenthood, life as an international student, and the challenges of settling into a new country wasn’t easy, but I pushed through and earned the prestigious Tom Finnegan Prize for my dissertation under the supervision of Professor Brandon Hamber.”
The MSc marked the beginning of a longer journey at Ulster University, as Fatima went on to pursue a PhD during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she described as “one of the most challenging yet rewarding chapters of my life.”
Throughout her doctoral studies, Fatima continued to champion victims’ rights on the world stage and has been invited to speak at multiple international events, including the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism in 2022 and 2024, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in 2025.
She said:
“My supervisors have walked this journey with me, and I am very grateful to my lead supervisor, Dr Joahanne Devlin Trew, who recognised the important connection between my advocacy and my research. Her support gave me the confidence to continue attending international events and to use my voice to advocate for victims and survivors who are too often unheard.”
Alongside her research and advocacy, Fatima delivered guest lectures to MSc students in Peace and Conflict Studies and supported undergraduate and postgraduate learners at the WAVE Trauma Centre.
Reflecting on her achievements, Fatima said:
“Moving here with my daughter and starting over in an unfamiliar place was daunting, but Belfast quickly became home, and Ulster University became somewhere that my story, my work, and my commitment to advocacy was understood and supported.
"Completing my PhD is not just a personal milestone but a step forward for the thousands of victims and survivors of terrorism whose resilience continues to inspire me.”
As she looks to the future, Fatima hopes to continue her advocacy internationally, develop policy-focused research, and strengthen support for victims of terrorism worldwide.
If you are interested in studying a PhD at Ulster University, please visit The Doctoral College at Ulster University.
