Internships
WACCE welcomes passionate, innovative and talented interns who crave learning new skills and aren’t afraid of tackling the unknown. Our internship program welcomes dynamic individuals who are able to work on their own initiative in a small team of researchers. Our internship program offers valuable work experience to people who are seeking to make a positive impact in the field of security. Our interns have come from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Developmental Studies, University of Amsterdam (NL), Liberty University (USA), Emory University (USA), University of Michigan (USA), University of Reading (UK), Coventry University (UK), City University of New York (USA) and Stockholm University (Sweden). Below are the profiles of our past and incumbent interns.
Applications for WACCE 2026 Internship Program (Summer) will be open in March 2026. However, unsolicited applications for Volunteer and Internship roles are welcome in the meantime.
Current Interns - Fall 2025
Efraim Vermeulen
Research Associate (Intern)
Efraim Vermeulen recently graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and Governance. He previously completed a Bachelor’s in International Relations, during which he pursued a Minor in Middle East Studies at the American University in Cairo and attended the Kosovo International Summer Academy. As a Research Associate Intern, Efraim brings his diverse international experience and passion for peacebuilding and conflict mediation to WACCE.
Alex Walter
Research Associate (Intern)
Alex Walter recently graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Conflict Studies. He has gained valuable professional experience working with several NGOs, contributing to initiatives ranging from disarmament research in Egypt to post-conflict reconciliation programs in Lebanon. Blending diverse academic insight with practical, cross-cultural experience, Alex brings a nuanced understanding of conflict and security issues to his work at WACCE.
Past Interns
Ismael Karim Delgado
Research Associate (Intern)
Ismael Karim Delgado, a graduate student from Emory University in the United States, has successfully completed a two-month internship at WACCE.
Ismael participated in research projects during his internship that examined extremism, political transitions, regional security, and governance in Ghana and the larger West African region. He worked on projects and conducted research on security and governance in West Africa as a Research Associate (intern). He produced analytical reports in close collaboration with the WACCE research team, which helped him better understand the region’s governance, economic, and security issues.
Read about his experience at WACCE here.
Benjamin Ellis
Research Associate (Intern)
The West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) has marked the successful completion of a two-month internship by Benjamin Ellis, a graduate student from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA. Ben was awarded the Provost’s Award for Research Excellence (P.A.R.E.) by the Helms School of Government, Liberty University to undertake the two-month internship at WACCE. The P.A.R.E. award supports and advances student-led research and creativity across disciplines, equipping recipients for outstanding careers in public service and academia.
Read about his experience at WACCE here.
Micaela Parker
Research Associate (Intern)
Micaela Parker, MPP, recently graduated from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver with a Master degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Human Rights and Social Justice. Whilst at the University of Denver, she served as the President of Social Justice Solidarity Series, Graduate Student Government’s Director of Inclusive Excellence, Communications Coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (in)Equality, and more. Micaela has strong interest in Public Policy, Security and Governance issues and especially America’s Foreign Policy and how it relates to Africa. Previously, she was in Nairobi, Kenya conducting research with Professor Ambassador Maria Nzomo regarding diplomacy, gender, and international policy. Micaela was a Research Associate Intern at the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE), where she contributed to research on Ghana and West Africa’s security and governance.
Swalaha Ali-Kumbasi
Programs Assistant (Intern)
Swalaha holds an honors degree in BA Economics and Mathematics from the University of Ghana. Having honed her skills in Data Analytics across both public and private sectors, she channeled her skills and expertise towards WACCE’s program formulation, monitoring and evaluation, research and office administration. As Programs Assistant, Swalaha provided programmatic assistance, planning, design and the implementation of programs. She was also responsible for providing administrative support to team members throughout the planning and implementation of programs. Her dynamic team player attitude, combined with her continuous efforts to refine her data analysis abilities, was instrumental in driving efficiency and success in numerous ongoing WACCE projects, making her an invaluable asset to the organization’s growth and impact.