Dr Pernilla Johansson has worked professionally in civil society peacebuilding since her first assignment in Kosovo in 2004, including several senior management positions. She has a PhD in political science from the University of California, Irvine, and has published both academically and popularly on peacebuilding, democracy, embodied practices, cycling activism in LA, and peace activism in Serbia. Her focus areas in research and practice involve learning and culture in organizations working for social change. Since April 2021 Dr Johansson heads the Swedish aid agency's center for capacity building, Sida Partnership Forum.

This book analyses the everyday emotions of international peacebuilding practitioners as practices that hinder - and potentially help - them to listen more receptively to their local partners. It develops 'emotional practices' as an analytical framework by integrating critical feminist perspectives insights into practice approaches.

Chapter 1 The Listening Puzzle: Why are internationals so bad at listening to local partners, even though they want to and know they should? Chapter 2 Emotions Matter: Tense, stressed, and anxious internationals playing contradictory games Chapter 3 Orienting Emotions: Proud, achieving, and responsible internationals listening within limits Chapter 4 The Invisibility Cloak: Hiding privilege - hindering partnership Chapter 5 How Can the Subject Learn to Listen? Practicing purposeful failure and dealing with feelings Conclusion Emotional practices - privilege - hope