Dr. Katayoun Kishi is the Head of Data Science at ACLED. She oversees the management and publication of ACLED data, advises on new approaches to improving data collection and management, and leads ACLED’s data science initiatives.
Katayoun’s areas of expertise include computational social science, data management, conflict studies and comparative politics. She has 10 years of experience in applying quantitative methodologies to humanitarian and political research, including at the United States Institute of Peace and Pew Research Center.
She holds a PhD in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland with a concentration in comparative politics and quantitative methodology. Her primary research interests are conflict forecasting and its use in humanitarian early warning systems.
The ACLED Conflict Index is a global assessment of how and where conflicts in every country and territory in the world vary according to four indicators — deadliness, danger to civilians, geographic diffusion, and the number of armed groups.
The ACLED Conflict Index ranks Palestine as the most dangerous place in the world.
ACLED's Conflict Index reveals a 27% increase in global violence, highlighting complex dimensions and diverse geography of conflicts.
How will conflict change in 2026? Join ACLED on Thursday, 11 December, for the virtual launch of our annual Conflict Index and Watchlist, offering a data-driven look at global conflict trends. Register now!
Watch the recorded launch of our ACLED Conflict Index & 2025 Watchlist where ACLED President & CEO Clionadh Raleigh, Head of Data Science Katayoun Kishi, and Head of Analysis Andrea Carboni discuss the findings.
