Welcome to the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS), a research centre based at the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews.
CPCS promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching in a collegial environment, analysing and investigating processes of conflict resolution and transformation in the construction of long-term peace.
CPCS develops academic knowledge of peace and conflict grounded in the experiences of people, places and history. It facilitates dialogue between individuals, groups or communities who are concerned with conditions of positive peace, which links peace to justice rather than the mere absence of violent conflict. It produces dialogue through traditional and non-traditional research outputs, participatory action research and collaboration, impact generation activities, public engagement, learning and teaching activities, research lectures and seminars, and workshops, conferences, and other events. CPCS researchers and affiliates conduct research across a range of topics and geographic spaces that include Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and China.
These pages detail the focus and activities of the Centre. They summarise our research objectives, goals, and methodologies. And, they provide information about recent and ongoing major research endeavours, teaching and learning opportunities (such as the taught MLitt and MPhil programmes in Peacebuilding and Mediation), opportunities to become involved with our activities, and Centre events.
We welcome inquiries from prospective PhD students and applicants to the MLitt/MPhil in Peacebuilding and Mediation. We also welcome collaboration, feedback, and inquiries from colleagues around the globe.