Now, perhaps more than ever, we need fresh ideas on what we mean by a peaceful world and what approaches to peace look like.

The LSW’s Early Career Researchers Network is therefore excited to be partnering with Academi Heddwch to run a ‘Pathways to Peace’ sandpit event on Wednesday 7th of February 2024.

The headline aim of the event is to advance our knowledge and understanding of peace and peace-based approaches in Wales and beyond. Long-term aims include attracting research funding for further projects, engaging with policy and practice-based communities, as well as contributing to the civic mission role of Wales’ Universities.

Expressions of interest

We are therefore looking for twelve early career researchers* from any disciplinary background who are interested in contributing to developing a research agenda on ‘Pathways to Peace’. We seek ideas from all disciplines and subject areas, but encourage suggestions in particular based on:

• Local communities and conflict
• Education and communication
• Technology as cause and solution

*ECRs must have completed their PhD by the time of submitting their expression of interest.

Deadline for submission: 14 January 2024 

Academi Heddwch will be sponsoring this in-person sandpit event, and the successful applicants will be able to request travel and accommodation bursaries.

Professor Colin McInnes, Fellow of the LSW and academic research lead for Academi Heddwch Cymru, will facilitate the one-day session.

Colin McInnes is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and is the Academic Research Lead for the Academi Heddwch Cymru/Wales Peace Institute. He holds a personal chair in International Politics at Aberystwyth University, where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation) until September 2023. His research focuses on global health politics and from 2008-17 he held the UNESCO Chair in HIV/AIDS and Health Security, the first UNESCO Chair in Wales. He has worked with both Public Health Wales and the World Health Organisation, and was Special Adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee. From 2017-22 he was Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO and represented the UK at the UNESCO Executive Board and on its Social and Human Sciences Commission

Read further details about how to submit an expression of interest here.