Andrew Riley

Research Director - Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR)

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

About

Several years of experience working internationally in humanitarian and development contexts. Most of my work is focused on participatory, applied research related to human rights and mental health-related issues with vulnerable populations including refugees and other persecuted minority groups. Specific skills include developing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in challenging contexts, training in-country teams (including IDPs, refugees, and other marginalised populations) in research methods, analyzing and reporting data, formulating recommendations, and creating advocacy strategies to maximize the uptake and utility of research findings in complex/sensitive political environments.

Experience

  • COAR Global. (3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Global Research Director
      Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

      Supporting COAR's country research teams

    • Global Research Methods Advisor
      Aug 2022 - Jan 2026 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      - Supporting COAR's global research teams - Supporting conflict-related research methods formulation for projects in conflict-affected and fragile contexts - Providing technical inputs to the formulation of research tools, data collection methods, and analysis approaches for individual country teams and globally.

  • Advisor Refugee-Led Research Initiatives at Various Refugee-led CSOs
    Jan 2020 - Present · 6 yrs 6 mos

    - Language Preservation Study, (Rohingya-led CSO). Assisted with raising funds, research design, research training, data analysis, and report writing for a project examining the importance of language to Rohingya cultural identity. - Refugee Freedom of Movement Study, (Rohingya-led CSO). Currently assisting with raising funds, research design, research training, data analysis, and report writing for a project focused on restrictions of freedom of movement and their impact on Rohingya refugees. - Rohingya Girls’ Education Project, Girls Forward (CSO). Assisted with raising funds, project design, and reporting for a project aimed at empowering girls’ education in conservative Muslim communities.

  • Research Consultant at University of Colorado
    Jul 2022 - Jan 2026 · 3 yrs 7 mos

    Participating in a study focused on climate change risks and resilience with vulnerable agricultural communities, particularly focused on mental health and disaster preparedness. - Visiting communities and meeting key stakeholders to assess conditions for inclusion in the project - Facilitating participatory data collection trainings for data collection teams - Coordinating data collection team - Analysing both qualitative and quantitaive data

  • Research Analyst (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Data) at Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
    Jan 2023 - Apr 2023 · 4 mos

    - Coordinating data Analysis team - Analysing data from Rohingya refugees related to experiences of sexual and gender based violence - Including types of experiences and health, mental health, and social impacts of SGBV experiences

  • Research Consultant at Legal Action Worldwide
    Apr 2021 - Apr 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo

    - Lead participatory research related to the experiences and needs of refugee survivors of gender-based violence, including transgender survivors. - Remotely trained a local research team in research methods and data collection, remotely supervised and coordinated the data collection process. - Analysed quantitative and qualitative data, wrote a report, and participated in advocacy events related to the research.