Organisational communications
Our work
Our research and analysis touches on all aspects and levels of our work – from looking at current counter-terror strategies and arms flows between countries, to community surveys that assess safety and security concerns affecting the day-to-day lives of people in conflict-affected contexts.
We present and discuss our findings with governments, multilateral organisations, civil society groups and to the public to deepen debates and shape policies that help prevent conflict and build peace. We provide targeted recommendations to national, regional and local governments and to donors, and we influence how these people and institutions promote peace and development. We also advise international organisations to help them better understand and navigate complex conflict environments. We emphasise the importance of linking research outputs to tangible changes in attitudes, behaviours and relationships among those involved in and affected by conflict and within the broader peacebuilding community.
We use the findings from our research and analysis to inform our own work and to strengthen learning. We conduct thorough assessments of what drives conflict in the areas where we work, helping us to understand how our programmes interact with conflict dynamics and how we can address security concerns.
The types of research we do
We contribute to the global evidence base on preventing and resolving violent conflict. Examples include research to understand how climate change and conflict interact with natural resource management systems and peace infrastructure in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, and how they affect different groups, including women and young people. We also explored the work and role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Terrorism Prevention Branch, examining its strengths, weaknesses and future challenges.
We work on a variety of research projects and topics:
| Community assessments and public surveys | By hearing directly from affected communities, we can understand their security concerns, opinions and the realities they face on a day-to-day basis. Our research methods include qualitative and quantitative surveys, focus group discussions and interviews with people living in conflict. |
| Action research for change | We conduct research that is change oriented, supporting people to identify and analyse important conflict and security issues in their communities and to take action to address them. This can lead to changes in behaviours, attitudes and relationships among those involved in conflict, while influencing how peacebuilding programmes are designed. |
| Action research for learning | We use action research for learning to reflect on our programmes, assess our impact and adapt to changing conditions to ensure our work is relevant. By involving conflict-affected communities in the design, analysis and use of research, we ensure findings serve their priorities, enhancing the effectiveness of our work. |
| Gender-transformative conflict analysis and research | We conduct gender-transformative conflict analysis and research to understand the impacts of crises on people of all genders, clarify their roles in peace and conflict, and explore how gender norms fuel inequality, conflict, discrimination and violence. This informs both our programme work and global advocacy, to better address the power dynamics that drive conflict and gender inequality. We include an intersectional lens to ensure our work contributes to a sustainable peace for all. |
| Thematic and global issues research | We conduct research into a range of global conflict issues that help us push for change internationally and nationally. From migration and counter-terror responses to arms control and effective governance, our research informs policies that help to prevent conflict and build sustainable peace. |
Work with us
If you would like to learn more about our areas of research or if you are interested in working with our research teams, please get in touch using the contact form below:
