Conflict, humanitarian action and peacebuilding

Principal Investigator(s): Dr Brigitte Piquard

Contact: bpiquard@brookes.ac.uk

About us

The research group on conflict, humanitarian action and peacebuilding is at the interface between humanitarian action, peace and development. This includes:

  • the links between conflict sensitivity and conflict transformation
  • the introduction of transformative resilience within humanitarian programming 
  • the mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues (such as culture, gender, displacement, environment) into the nexus, particularly in protracted conflicts and post-conflict settings.

Following the Agenda for Humanity and particularly the fourth pillar on ‘working differently to end needs’, the group investigates the localisation of aid and the ‘local turn’ in peacebuilding, in order to rethink the role of local actors (NGOs, communities, youth and women groups, authorities) in crisis-response. 

With an action oriented approach, the group works closely with local organisations and academics in different conflict contexts. 

Wall of the Victim Memorial in Trujillo, Colombia

Research impact

Engaging with Syrian refugees in Lebanon

The group works on broadening localisation of knowledge and capacity building with local and national organisations, community and youth groups, using research as an empowerment strategy.

Together with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the group created an online Masters Degree in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding exploring the challenges and common grounds between humanitarian action and peacebuilding. This online Masters is work and practice based and fosters mutual learning within a community of practice on the web, merging the wealth of experiences and knowledge of learners, practitioners and academics globally. 

Leadership

Brigitte Piquard

Dr Brigitte Piquard

Reader in Humanitarianism and Conflict

View profile

Membership

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Latest Book Release

Working with Conflict 2, Skills and Strategies for Action

This book focuses on:

  • understanding and transforming conflict
  • building practical strategies for constructive change
  • analysing power
  • addressing violence
  • healing wounds
  • building movements for change.

It is relevant to all who are working in and on intractable situations, from grassroots to policy level, including the fields of peacebuilding, development, climate change, human rights, gender equality and trauma healing.