Marta Dafano is an ESRC-funded MPhil/PhD candidate in the Department of International Relations at LSE. Her research interests revolve around the linkages between international organisations’ funding mechanisms and their performance. She focuses specifically on assessing the impact of pooled funding on the performance of UN agencies, comparing it with tightly earmarked funding and core funding. She also works on unveiling government donors' funding preferences and related trade-offs.

Prior to doctoral study, Marta worked for over seven years in the international development cooperation and humanitarian sector, holding various field and HQ positions with the United Nations, INGOs, and government institutions.

Born and raised in Italy, she is fluent in Italian, English, and French. She holds an MSc in International Relations (Cum Laude and Special Acknowledgement) and a BSc in Political Science (Cum Laude) from LUISS Guido Carli University (Rome).

Research topic

Minilateralism and Financial Autonomy: Assessing the Impact of Pooled Funding on UN Performance

Academic supervisor

Dr Mathias Koenig-Archibugi

Research Cluster affliation

International Institutions, Law and Ethics Research