Peace & Conflict Research
People are at the heart of everything we do. Our projects engage, workshops, consultancy, conferences, mediation, podcasts, evaluations, training, photography and documentary film, we engage in large scale research analysis for journals, policy, and monographs.
“After field research in Bilin, evaluating the ‘Wall’ protests, it was a relief to arrive in Ramallah. The gentleman in the photo, Abu Steve, approached me with water and bananas, asking for nothing in return. His gesture, captured my research on human needs. See the need, and act on fulfilling those needs. We laughed across our cultural barriers”
Monograph: Intervention Israel-Palestine
This research examines the interaction and causal connections of four interventions, (Mediation, Security, Protest, and Peace Education) and their impact on human needs in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The interventions examined are, the Oslo Peace Process, Israel's Security Barrier, Palestinian (Wall) Protests, and Joint Israeli-Palestinian Peace Education initiatives. The interventions are analysed for their impact on human needs and the ability of these interventions to generate further conflict or peace in the region. Book Forthcoming 2024.
Workshop: Humanitarian Safeguarding in Conflict Response
The Edinburgh Peace Institute is bringing together experts on safeguarding responses in conflict contexts. Initially, a workshop will be developed to debate the issues around safeguarding the vulnerable at times of conflict/crises, and how civilians can be protected as an initial response, balancing human needs and human security needs. From the workshop findings, research themes will be developed to examine in more depth current problems, issues and themes in safeguarding across the conflict complex. Policy will be developed to enhance ongoing humanitarian and protection initiatives for actors functioning with this space.
Journal Article & Policy Recommendations: Reconciling Jerusalem
This research examines the potential for a reconciled Jerusalem between faiths, post-Oslo Peace Process, while discussing the wider considerations of religious belief. Dr Thomson has engaged in 10 years of field work in the region, has studied a Degree in Theology Honours, MRes Politics/IR, and a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, (Israel-Palestine). He has engaged in Christian Ministry inquiry, and attended Synagogue for 18 months to learn Hebrew and the Judaic religion, he continues to study Islamic theology, to inform the process of this research engagement.
Journal Article & Policy: Mass Violence & Genocide Prevention
This historical, theoretical, and empirical engagement, imposes a philosophical ethic, to interrogate the human structural conditions that provoke genocide. The research develops an understanding of the roots of 'Genocide & Mass Violence'. In so doing, the work, provides concrete evidence of the embers of the 'Genocide Imagination', how it is transmitted, witnessed, and therefore prevented.
Policy Paper: EU-Abkhazia Relations
This policy research builds upon previous analysis in 2010-12, to examine the EU-Abkhazia relationship. The policy research explores this relationship while examining the 'dependency-development-peace' nexus. The policy outputs will determine the human needs impact on EU-Abkhaz relations, while providing policy relevant solutions from the results.
Field Research & Peacemaking: Violence Against Christians
This policy research examines the current upsurge in violence against Christian communities in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The research seeks to examine how the change in violent rhetoric and action, has impacted their wellbeing, daily routines, and status in the region. The findings will assist in developing a wider policy programme in violence reduction and reconciliation, and to support solutions that foster balanced human security in the region across faiths.
Journal Article: Nordic Resistance Movement
Who, what and where is the NRM? What is its teleology? The Edinburgh Peace institute, will be engaging in discussions to hear the voice of the NRM, beyond the liberal paradigm, to understand its aims, practices, and policy objectives, and to listen to the concerns NRM has in Scandinavian countries. Unless we listen and learn from all political groups, we will only fail to understand their true meaning and teleos, and potential for peace.
Advisory Policy: Safeguarding Reporting in Scotland
We care about safeguarding children, families and teachers in schools. This advisory summary, is part of a larger undertaking to examine failures in Scotland