GISELLE
LOPEZ
MY BIO
In my professional life, I have worked to bridge the world of media and technology with the world of peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Technology has increasingly become practically inseparable from the daily lives of people around the world, and consequently has become an essential component of efforts to bring about positive social change. Technology has been used to foment conflict, undermine peacebuilding efforts, target humanitarian practitioners and activists, spread disinformation, and propagate hatred and violence against certain groups. However, it has also been used to amplify messages and support initiatives to build peace, bridge divides, and create new space for civic engagement and social innovation.
My focus has been primarily on understanding the digital media landscape and how it intersects with conflict dynamics. I have been fortunate to be able to apply my background in peacebuilding and my skills in social media analytics and data visualization to further the mission of technology for peacebuilding. Through my work at the U.S. Institute of Peace, PeaceTech Lab, Creative Associates International's Development Lab, Integrity's Data and Knowledge Management team, and now Accenture Federal Services at State Department, I have worked on a range of projects and programs around the world - including in Myanmar, India, Turkey, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Pakistan - to support this mission.
I live in Washington, DC, with my husband Sandy and our cat Vincent. I love cycling, hiking, tennis, and music.
SPEAKING
WRITING AND PROJECTS
2019
TECHNOLOGY IN FRAGILE ENVIRONMENTS: LESSONS USING ICT FOR MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING
Wrote an article featured in the Small Business Association for International Companies (SBAIC) newsletter titled “Technology in Fragile Environments: Lessons Using ICT for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning”. The article focused on Integrity Global's use of digital platforms for monitoring, evaluation, and learning in conflict-affected environments.
2018
ANALYZING ONLINE MESSAGING AND NARRATIVES OF BOKO HARAM
Led social media monitoring and analysis of content in Arabic, French, Hausa and English from public Boko Haram-affiliated accounts and public posts about the group at Creative Development Lab.
2015
WIELDING TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT DANGEROUS SPEECH IN MYANMAR
Co-wrote an article for the US Institute of Peace (USIP) on a PeaceTech Exchange Noel Dickover and I organized and led in Yangon, Myanmar. The event was sponsored jointly by PeaceTech Lab and USIP and brought together technologists and civil society leaders from around the country to discuss the issue of dangerous speech in digital and social media.
2015
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT AT A CROSSROADS: THE CRISIS IN LIBYA
Wrote “Responsibility to Protect at a Crossroads: The Crisis in Libya” as part of the 2014 Humanity in Action Diplomacy and Diversity Fellowship. The research essay was first published in Transatlantic Perspectives on Diplomacy and Diversity (Humanity in Action Press 2015).
2012
DISCOVERING GLOBAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRENDS HIDDEN IN BIG DATA
Collaborated with UN Global Pulse at Crimson Hexagon in a research project to explore the concept of identifying "digital smoke signals" in social media data, using Twitter data emerging from Indonesia as a case study. Co-wrote white paper.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
SENIOR ANALYTICS LEAD, ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES
July 2020 - Present
Lead a team of analysts in Department of State’s Bureau for Global Public Affairs (GPA) Office of Research and Analytics Media Monitoring Unit, producing analyses of narratives surrounding foreign policy priorities. Manage and cultivate relationships with high-level stakeholders in bureaus and offices in Department of State, including other GPA offices, regional bureaus, Global Engagement Center, regional hubs, and embassies. Spearhead design and quality assurance for reporting on global media trends using social media analytics.
SENIOR DATA AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGER, INTEGRITY
January 2019 – July 2020
Designed and delivered digital solutions for research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning in conflict-affected environments. Facilitated increased use of new and emerging technologies for MEL including use of geographic information systems (GIS), interactive data visualization and dashboards, media monitoring, and satellite imagery analysis.
TECHNICAL MANAGER, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT LAB - CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL
August 2017 – January 2019
Developed and expanded the Lab’s work across six practice areas – citizen security, countering violent extremism, elections, governance and civil society, political transitions, and stabilization and development. Designed and implemented four projects including training civil society in crowdsourcing for election monitoring, community mapping with youth using OpenStreetMap, and analysis of online narratives of violent extremism. Led research on disinformation and its impact on democratic processes and provided recommendations for advancing this work.
SENIOR SPECIALIST, DATA AND SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYSIS – PEACETECH LAB
September 2014 – August 2017
Managed the design and development of the Open Situation Room Exchange, a web-based portal visualizing conflict data around the world for early warning and situational awareness in the peacebuilding community. Developed data and social media analytics as core capabilities for the Lab and led analytics for a hate speech monitoring project in South Sudan, with reports briefed to a UN Security Council task force. Organized and led PeaceTech Exchanges to build capacity for CSOs to use low-cost technologies in their work in India, Myanmar, Egypt, and Turkey.