Cluster description

Common and diverse research interests

A common platform in the work of ISS researchers in this cluster is what might be termed the ‘global political economy’ of conflict and violence, peace and social transformation. There is a common concern with explaining underlying social dynamics that not only cause conflict and violence, but also lead to processes of social reconstruction, transformation and the building up of more peaceful and just outcomes.

Our work recognises that conflict and alternatives to violence are not incompatible. Violent patterns of social relations can be intertwined with processes of economic decay and impoverishment, and conflicts can be a part of wider struggles for social justice, human security and social transformation. The analysis of gender relations, ethnicity and social class form the basis for understanding patterns of poverty and social exclusion, which are also shared understandings among this group of researchers.

It is the lived realities, as much as the theoretical ideas and research experiences that motivate researchers in the Conflict cluster. In the process of engaging and learning about one another’s work, the cluster is engendering closer collaboration in current and future research of cluster members. As collaboration has taken off, members have interacted more closely than in the past, and across disciplinary divides. There is scope for furthering comparative regional, methodological and discursive approaches to the field of conflict, violence and peaceful social transformation. Engaging in dialogue and debate among ourselves, with other ISS colleagues and outside the Institute is facilitating this process of mutual interaction and learning.

Current activities and future plans

On the basis of the significant research commonalities that are emerging, a number of cluster activities are taking place, and are proposed in future. Research publications and proposed activities are listed below. Within the time-frame of two years, it is planned to have at least two major research proposals approved or in the pipeline. A major conference, as well as occasional workshops and a seminar series. PhD students and other researchers related to ISS have already been invited to engage with staff involved in the cluster. A new batch of Masters students, with a high level of motivation is also being engaged in such activities as organising speakers and a conference to take place in early 2009. These collaborative research activities will form the basis for consolidation of the cluster’s activities in 2008-2010, as follows:

• Speakers invited on conflict and peace-related topics, in ISS Seminar series, from 2007.

• Occasional speakers invited to the Research in Progress seminars, started in 2007.

• Informal ‘brown bag’ lunches where members discuss on-going and proposed research.

• A major conference in January 2009, with the title: “Rethinking Conflict, Peace and Development: New Directions in research and practice”. This conference is being jointly organised by Conflict platform staff at ISS and University of Tennessee Center for the Study of War and Society, as well and other partner research organisations in the Netherlands.

• A collected manuscript on New Directions in Research and Teaching in Conflict, Peace and Development, to be published with a major academic press, in 2010.

• Negotiations have been underway since 2007 to establish a “Global Centre for Research on Gender, Crisis Prevention and Recovery”. This initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the Social Science Research Council, US, with Jennifer Klot.

• Collaboration with Clingedael/ Utrecht Conflict Research Unit/Cordaid/ The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, including with Diederik Deboer on Fragile States.