Karen L. Murphy, Ph.D.

Global Educational & Civil Society Leader | AI in Education Strategist | Peacebuilding & Human Rights Expert
Global, US.

About

Dr. Karen L. Murphy is a distinguished educational and civil society leader with a proven track record of developing global networks and high-impact programs in complex, polarized societies. With deep expertise in educational interventions for identity-based conflicts and post-violence recovery, she excels at leveraging innovation, including AI, to enhance learning outcomes and foster civic engagement. Her leadership drives strategic partnerships, organizational growth, and the creation of durable solutions for global challenges.

Work

The Human Responsibility Accelerator / The High Resolves Group
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CEO / Chief Learning Officer

Sydney, NSW, Australia

Summary

Led as CEO and Chief Learning Officer, driving global team and program development, and pioneering AI-driven educational initiatives for social impact.

Highlights

Directed a generative AI education research project, funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, to significantly enhance educational outcomes for disadvantaged youth across Australia.

Spearheaded Project Camino in Mexico, designing and implementing personalized AI tutors to equip 13-18 year-old vulnerable youth with social, emotional, and future-ready skills, fostering independence and inclusivity.

Authored and researched a seminal white paper on essential human skills for the AI age, defining a 'periodic table' of civic/durable skills, funded by the Learner Studio.

Co-designed and led the development of a learning management system and interactive learning experiences for adolescents, partnering with 30+ organizations to build a comprehensive library of citizenship skills.

Managed the successful transformation of the Videos for Change platform into the ULTIMO Challenge, securing long-term programmatic partnerships with National Geographic and The Slingshot Challenge.

Oversaw the design and development of immersive online learning experiences for University of Technology Sydney, University of Tasmania, and University of Newcastle.

Facing History and Ourselves
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Director of International Strategy

Brookline, MA, US

Summary

Directed global strategy and network expansion, fostering international partnerships and amplifying thought leadership for a leading civil society organization.

Highlights

Cultivated and managed a global network, establishing key partnerships across Colombia, France, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, and South Africa.

Co-founded Facing History's London office, building its foundational programs and stewarding board and donor relationships.

Enhanced engagement and expanded membership of the Board of Scholars, integrating prominent academics to amplify organizational insight and impact.

Orchestrated and facilitated global summits and country-specific convenings in regions like Northern Ireland and South Africa, driving key strategic discussions.

Developed, managed, and led the organization's thought leadership team, significantly elevating its programmatic and academic contributions through diverse media.

Facing History and Ourselves
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International Director

Brookline, MA, US

Summary

Provided strategic leadership for international programs, driving educational initiatives for peacebuilding and reconciliation across diverse global contexts.

Highlights

Secured funding for and led annual global intensive seminars in London (2005-2012) for educators and leaders from over 25 countries, fostering international educational collaboration.

Orchestrated and led two global in-person summits and a virtual summit (May 2021) with over 1000 participants from 60+ countries on democracy, reconciliation, and post-conflict restoration.

Cultivated a 20-year partnership with Shikaya (South Africa), influencing national curriculum changes and building a network of thousands of educators to promote democracy post-apartheid.

Established and nurtured a 15-year partnership with Corrymeela (Ireland), contributing to national curricular requirements on conflict history and fostering peaceful democracy through sustained programming.

Co-led 'Education for Reconciliation' in Rwanda, developing history materials and training workshops for teachers, leaders, and scholars from 2003-2010, significantly impacting post-genocide education.

Facing History and Ourselves
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Senior Program Associate

Brookline, MA, US

Summary

Contributed to program development and delivery, supporting educational initiatives focused on history and social justice.

Highlights

Supported the design and implementation of educational programs, focusing on historical inquiry and ethical decision-making.

Collaborated with senior leadership to refine program strategies and expand reach within the organization's mission.

Assisted in the development of curriculum resources, contributing to the organization's educational offerings.

Facing History and Ourselves
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Program Associate

Brookline, MA, US

Summary

Supported the execution of educational programs and administrative functions for a non-profit focused on history and social justice.

Highlights

Coordinated logistics for educational workshops and seminars, ensuring smooth program delivery.

Assisted in research and resource compilation for curriculum development, supporting content creation.

Managed administrative tasks to facilitate the effective operation of program initiatives.

Education

University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Ph.D.

American Studies

Carleton College
Northfield, MN, United States of America

B.A.

American Studies

Publications

Emotion and intellect in the face of societal violence

Published by

Oxford University Press

Summary

Forthcoming publication exploring the interplay of emotion and intellect in societal violence contexts, contributing to the discourse on classroom conflict.

Creating the conditions for repair: Representation, memorialization, and commemoration

Published by

Routledge

Summary

Chapter in 'Violence and public memory' focusing on conditions for societal repair through representation, memorialization, and commemoration.

Democratic civic engagement of adolescents in three divided societies: Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the United States

Published by

Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education

Summary

Research on adolescent civic engagement in divided societies, analyzing Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the United States.

The citizen within: Supporting teachers to develop their own civic capacity and the development of young democratic citizens

Published by

NISSEM global briefs

Summary

Contribution to 'Educating for the social, the emotional and the sustainable', focusing on fostering civic capacity in teachers and young citizens.

The development of ethical civic actors in divided societies: A longitudinal case

Published by

Human Development

Summary

Longitudinal study on the development of ethical civic actors in divided societies.

Educational reform through a transitional justice lens: The ambivalent transitions of Bosnia and Northern Ireland

Published by

UNICEF and ICTJ

Summary

Chapter in 'Education and transitional justice' examining educational reform in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Learning from our past: Truth, justice and reconciliation in Kenya

Published by

ICTJ and UNICEF

Summary

Publication on truth, justice, and reconciliation in Kenya, drawing lessons from historical experiences.

Building peace: The opportunities and limitations of educational interventions in countries with identity based conflicts

Published by

Bloomsbury Press

Summary

Chapter in 'International perspectives on peace education' on educational interventions in identity-based conflicts.

Blog posts for Facing History and Ourselves' website

Published by

Facing History and Ourselves

Summary

Authored various blog posts on topics including antisemitism, Nanjing, Paris, civic memory, and racism for the Facing History and Ourselves website (2014-2021).

Facing history: Education's role in transitional justice

Published by

USAID's Impact Blog

Summary

Blog post discussing the role of education in transitional justice.

Teaching history in post-genocide Rwanda

Published by

The University of Wisconsin Press

Summary

Chapter in 'Remaking Rwanda' on teaching history and state building after mass violence.

History education reform, transitional justice, and the transformation of identities

Published by

Cambridge University Press

Summary

Chapter in 'Identities in transition' on history education reform and identity transformation in divided societies.

Facing History and Ourselves in post-conflict societies

Published by

International Schools Journal

Summary

Article on Facing History and Ourselves' work in post-conflict societies.

Teaching a Holocaust case study in a post-conflict environment: Education as part of violence, reconstruction and repair

Published by

Journal of Intercultural Education

Summary

Article on teaching the Holocaust in post-conflict settings as a tool for reconstruction and repair.

Reconstruction after violence: How teachers and schools can deal with the legacy of the past

Published by

Perspectives in Education

Summary

Article on the role of teachers and schools in addressing legacies of violence.

Teaching history after identity-based conflicts: The Rwanda experience

Published by

Comparative Education Review

Summary

Article on teaching history in Rwanda following identity-based conflicts.

Certificates

Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court

Issued By

Irish Centre for Human Rights

Skills

Leadership & Strategy

Global Leadership, Strategic Planning, Program Development, Organizational Growth, Partnership Building, Thought Leadership, Team Management, Change Management.

Education & Curriculum Development

Educational Innovation, Curriculum Design, Learning Management Systems (LMS), AI in Education, Civic Education, Human Rights Education, Peacebuilding Education, Transitional Justice Education, Online Learning Experiences.

Research & Analysis

Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Academic Writing, Policy Analysis, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), Data-Driven Insights.

Global Engagement & Diplomacy

International Relations, Cross-Cultural Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue, Community Engagement, Public Speaking, Media Relations.

Funding & Resource Development

Grant Acquisition, Donor Relations, Fundraising Strategy, Resource Mobilization.

Project Management

Project Planning, Project Execution, Project Oversight, Timeline Management.