Peace Research Community Europe (PEACE)
The world currently faces a number of significant challenges to peace and security. Violent conflict and related victims doubled over the last decade. The Global Peace Index, trying to quantify peace on a global level, deteriorated for the ninth consecutive year. The war in Ukraine and the new levels of violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict raise fundamental questions on how to prevent violent conflict from erupting. Moreover, climate change and polarization also pose grave challenges to peace and security, even in more ‘peaceful’ contexts.
Building peace, reducing insecurity and preventing violent conflict demands us to fundamentally rethink peace. That is why this PEACE Action unites a trans-European and interdisciplinary research community that expands and strengthens a network of peace and conflict research centres and researchers from across Europe.
The main challenge for the PEACE Action is to improve our understanding of the current challenges to peace and security on the European continent and beyond, thereby inspiring new research, policy and practice. The focus areas will be on Peace & Climate, Feminist Peace, Peace & Emerging Technologies, Local Peace and a new Peace and Security Architecture in Europe. In addition, the network will support a new generation of peace and conflict researchers in developing their careers.
More information:
Webinars so far
4 June 2025 - Launching the PEACE Initiative
This first webinar provides an overview of the project’s vision and structure, present the main participation opportunities, and introduce practical information on how to get involved in PEACE Initiative.
17 October 2025 - Peace & Climate: Bridging Science & Policy
This webinar provides a thematic discussion on Peace & Climate, focusing on Bridging Science and Policy. The session explores how scientific research can inform policy on climate-related risks to peace, addressing issues such as environmental governance, humanitarian crises, and the role of science in supporting peacebuilding efforts.
10 March 2026 - Feminist Peace: Academic Collaborations & Resistances on Gender Backlash
This webinar provides a thematic discussion on Academic Collaboration and Resistance on Gender Backlash. The session explores the growing attacks on gender justice across political systems and institutional contexts, examining how universities and knowledge production have become key sites of contestation. It addresses antifeminism in both authoritarian and liberal settings, the targeting of women’s and LGBTQ rights, and the role of academic collaboration in resisting backlash and strengthening solidarities across movements.
12 May 2026 - Peace & Emerging Technologies: Myths, Misconceptions about Emerging Technologies in Peace & Security
This webinar explores prevalent, and sometimes misleading, ideas about emerging technologies in the fields of peace and security. It covers issues ranging from military AI, biological weapons to ideas on military spending and peace. Ultimately, the speakers unpack how faulty thinking about technology and security and its implications unfold in public discussions.
9 June 2026 - Arts-Based Practices and Local Peace
In recent years, arts-based practices and methodologies have gained increasing relevance within peace studies worldwide. These approaches can foster dialogue and create spaces for meaningful encounters, contributing to what we understand as local peace. As contexts differ, so too do the ways in which local peace is defined and experienced. This webinar explores research conducted by Tiffany Fairey on peace photography and engage in a collective discussion on the recent workshop Arts-Based Practices and Local Peace, held in Sarajevo from 26–28 May, hosted by the Post-Conflict Research Center.