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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 877–888 of 15412 results

Opinion

Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t

Africa has the world’s largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach 500 million in 2080. While population dynamics vary across the continent, most sub-Saharan countries...

Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute

9 January 2024

Opinion

Flexible, hybrid land use and tenure in pastoral areas

This is the fifth in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we explore the theme of land and resources. A core theme of PASTRES work has been exploring what forms of land use and tenure make sense given highly variable...

22 December 2023

Opinion

COP28: Overcoming colonialism to ensure just transitions in MENA

This December, those involved in combating climate change have turned their attention to Dubai, the host city of COP28. Comparing this host to last years – Egypt, helps highlight the contrasting developments within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Egypt and UAE present...

Elias Ghorra, Development Aid Professional

19 December 2023

Brief

Community Solutions to Insecurity Along the Uganda–Kenya Border

IDS Policy Briefing 214

In the Karamoja and Turkana border regions of Uganda and Kenya, there is widespread violence including armed robbery, rape, and human rights abuses, yet community complaints about failures of governance remain largely unaddressed. This Policy Briefing highlights how different insecurities...

19 December 2023

News

2023: Review of the year in development

The past year has brought with it extensive challenges for global development. From the ongoing legacies of Covid-19 and focus on polycrisis at the start of the year, to the Earth’s hottest summer since global records began and currently - a war in Palestine where the people of Gaza bear the...

18 December 2023

Opinion

In Kashmir, like in Palestine, a decolonial commitment to justice is crucial

On 11 December 2023, the Indian Supreme Court declared its verdict on the legality of the government’s revocation of the ‘special status’ of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). On 5 August 2019, the Indian government deoperationalised Article 370 of its constitution, which had previously given a...

Anonymous

18 December 2023

Opinion

Pastoralists as Conservationists

This is the fifth in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we explore the role of pastoralists in rangeland conservation. Pastoralists are often blamed for environmental destruction – not only the climate but...

18 December 2023

Past Event

Pathways to Development Conference

The second Pathways to Development Conference will bring together empirical work in economics, sociology, politics and political economy, to find solutions to the grand challenges constraining sustainable growth in Pakistan and the region. Economic growth and poverty reduction can, and often...

From 18 December 2023 until 20 December 2023

Opinion

Mobility is vital for successful pastoralism

This is the third in a series of blog posts that bring together PASTRES work from 2018-2023 around a number of themes. In this post, we show the importance of mobility for pastoralists. To read through our archive on this theme, click on the link at the end of this post. The ability...

15 December 2023

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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