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Conflict and Violence

Our work provides a nuanced and realistic understanding of the relationship between violence, conflict, security and development. It aims to help policymakers, practitioners and citizens to develop policies and practices that strengthen people’s efforts to secure their own lives and livelihoods and improve the functioning of political institutions responsible for security and the management and prevention of conflict, and for the development of peace.

We examine the multiple layers and contexts in which violence manifests – from household to state and global level – and pinpoint the links and overlaps between these layers. This includes exploring the nature of, and responses to conflict and violence in rapidly expanding urban areas.  We have a done pioneering work on the dynamics of micro-level conflict, violence and development as well as on citizen action in violent contexts. Our research on gender, men and masculinities and gender-based violence has provided new insights on how to change attitudes, norms and behaviours for equality, peace and justice.

Another focal area is the dynamics of policy processes around conflict, violence and security examining the key framing and narratives. We explore non-traditional forms of security, especially linked to water, energy, food and health as well as post conflict and state building issues affecting service delivery and livelihoods, and are also developing new participatory approaches to peacebuilding. 

People

Patricia Justino

Professorial Fellow

Rebecca Mitchell

Postgraduate Researcher and Programme Manager

Gauthier Marchais

Research Fellow

Jeremy Allouche

Professorial Fellow

Jeremy Lind

Professorial Fellow

Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mora

Post Doctoral Researcher

Marinella Leone

Research Fellow

Robin Luckham

Emeritus Fellow

Programmes and centres

Recent work

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Showing 385–396 of 15404 results

News

Podcast: How can we reimagine social protection in an uncertain world?

Social protection features in numerous country policies and development agency strategies, as well as in several Sustainable Development Goals. However, following more than two decades of considerable expansion in policies, programmes, and research, the sector finds itself at a crossroads. In...

14 November 2024

Past Event

Was there a famine in Gaza in 2024?

Following Israel’s declaration on 8 October 2023 of a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, a food crisis rapidly developed. But did the situation deteriorate into a full-blown famine? A series of food security assessments conducted by the international community in 2023-24 will be analysed...

14 November 2024

Opinion

Supporting African think tanks makes sense – and why more support is needed

Policy making is a messy business. While rationality and certainty are often viewed as desirable traits, the reality is that policy processes in the vast majority of contexts involve multiple actors, and are highly contested, volatile, uncertain, and complex. Policy-making is a political...

Maria Alejandra Ormeño Oviedo, IDS Student, MA in Governance, Development, and Public Policy

13 November 2024

News

Call for papers: Social and humanitarian assistance in crises

From 16 to 18 September 2025, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) will be hosting an international conference organised by the Better Assistance in Crises (BASIC) Research programme called 'Social and Humanitarian Assistance in Crises: agendas, ambitions and aspirations for more effective...

12 November 2024

Publication

Trade Inclusivity

The K4DD Rapid Evidence Review begins with discussing a popular theoretical trade impact model (the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson) model which suggests that trade openness has an impact on microeconomic factors, i.e., brings about changes in the consumption, production and income patterns at the...

11 November 2024

Opinion

The people’s historian, Pathisa Nyathi, has died

The famed self-trained historian Pathisa Nyathi has died aged 73 as a result of complications with diabetes. He has been described by many as a brilliant historian, a living library, an archive of Zimbabwean history, as well as a beloved father, dedicated mentor and cultural icon. He was at the...

11 November 2024

Brief

Key Considerations: Post-Trauma Impacts in Conflict-Affected Communities in Northern Nigeria

SSHAP Briefing

Since 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency has become the most prominent source of violence in northern Nigeria, particularly affecting the north-east. The group’s activities, including bombings, assassinations, and mass abductions, have resulted in over two million people being displaced and a...

Ayodele Samuel Jegede

& 2 others

8 November 2024

Opinion

Israel’s long war against UNRWA

On 28 October 2024, the Israeli parliament voted 92-10 to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the single largest provider of humanitarian aid in occupied Palestine. The ban, if implemented, risks halting the delivery of already woefully insufficient lifesaving...

7 November 2024

Why learn with us.

In an extraordinary time of challenge and change, we use more than 50 years of expertise to transform development approaches that create more equitable and sustainable futures. The work you do with us will help make progressive change towards universal development; to build and connect solidarities for collective action, locally and globally. The University of Sussex has been ranked 1st in the world for Development Studies for the past five years (QS World University Rankings by Subject).

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