While growing up in northern Nigeria, Refine was subject to recurring violent conflicts. Those early experiences shaped her academic and professional trajectory, sparking a deep interest in understanding the impacts of conflict, particularly on gender dynamics and displaced populations. Her research is driven by the evolving gender roles during conflict and the pressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly as perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgency against women and girls in northeastern Nigeria.
Advisor: Ken MacLean
Education:
- B.A., History, University of Abuja, Nigeria
- M.A., History and International Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna
Fellowships:
- Scheidt Doctoral Fellowship in Genocide Studies, 2025
