Conflict, Security & Development Research Group

11/02/2026

📢 CSD Speaker Series | The Struggles of Conflict Mediation in a World in Flux

The Department of War Studies, as part of the CSD Speaker Series, invites you to a discussion with Paul Dziatkowiec, Director of Mediation and Peace Support at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), on “The struggles of conflict mediation in a world in flux”.

As global politics becomes increasingly turbulent, with rising geopolitical tensions, growing mistrust between major powers and rapidly shifting regional dynamics, the work of mediators has become more complex than ever. Drawing on over a decade of hands on experience leading Track II and Track 1.5 dialogue initiatives, Paul Dziatkowiec will reflect on the practical, political and ethical dilemmas mediators encounter on the ground. The discussion will explore what today’s environment means for the prospects of dialogue, how non state actors influence peace efforts, and what the future of international peacemaking might look like in a world in flux.

Chaired by Dr Oisin Tansey, Professor of International Politics.

📅 18 February | 10:30am-12:00pm

More details 👇
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-struggles-of-conflict-mediation-in-a-world-in-flux

Register here 👇
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-struggles-of-conflict-mediation-in-a-world-in-flux-tickets-1982882253197?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1%252Aia0qdj%252A_up%252AMQ..%252A_ga%252AMTg5MTI2MTE3OC4xNzcwODE5ODMz%252A_ga_TQVES5V6SH%252AczE3NzA4MTk4MzMkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzA4MTk4MzMkajYwJGwwJGgw

The CSD Speaker Series is an initiative from the Conflict, Security & Development Research Group (CSDRG) in the Department of War Studies, King's College London. It aims to bring together interested individuals with leading experts and influential thinkers in the fields of conflict, security and development.

06/11/2025

CSD Speaker Series | Department of War Studies

The UN at a Crossroads: Crisis, Reform, and the Future of Multilateralism

Today the UN is experiencing the worst crisis since its inception. It is facing three inter-related crises: (1) a serious funding shortfall causing a rapid and large-scale downsizing of the organization; (2) increasing marginalization from crucial processes like Ukraine and Israel/Gaza; and (3) declining trust around the world that the Organisation is well-placed to manage the most important global risks like climate change, the rise of AI, and global health.

How is the UN managing these crises? What does the recent UN80 initiative mean for the future of multilateralism? What are the opportunities for countries like the UK to shape the reform process going forward?

Speaker:
Adam Day is the Head of UN University Centre for Policy Research Geneva Office and Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies. He previously served as senior political advisor to the UN peace operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and political advisor positions for the UN in Sudan, South Sudan, the Middle East and UN Headquarters. His recent book, The Forever Crisis, tackles the current crisis in multilateralism and argues for an adaptive, networked response.

Discussant:
Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin is Vice President, International, Engagement and Service (IES) at King’s College London. She is also Professor of Security, Leadership and Development at the African Leadership Centre in the School of Global Affairs at King’s.

Chair:
Mats Berdal is Professor of Security and Development at the Department of War Studies. He is Director of the Conflict, Security and Development Research Group (CSDRG) and Programme Director for the MA in Conflict, Security and Development.

📅 Tuesday 25 November 2025 | 18:00-19:30
📍 Bush House (North East Wing), Room BH(NE)-1.01, Strand Campus, London WC2B 4BG

More information:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-un-at-a-crossroads-crisis-reform-and-the-future-of-multilateralism

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-un-at-a-crossroads-crisis-reform-and-the-future-of-multilateralism-tickets-1904881344379?aff=oddtdtcreator

The CSD Speaker Series is an initiative from the Conflict, Security & Development Research Group in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. It aims to bring together interested individuals with leading experts and influential thinkers in the fields of conflict, security, and development.

26/02/2024

If you or someone you know is considering further study related to conflict, security and development, take a look at our world-leading MA programme at the Department of War Studies.
Running for two decades, our best advertisements are our graduates.

Find out more about the programme: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/conflict-security-and-development-ma

03/12/2023

Prof Oisin Tansey and Visiting Research Fellow Dr Kseniya Oksamytna, along with co-authors Prof Sarah von Billerbeck and Dr Birte Gippert have just published an article in "International Studies Quarterly" looking at reasons why UN peacekeeping operations – or different units and individuals in one operation – react differently when host country partners deviate from democratic norms.

The article is one of the outcomes of the ESRC-funded "Democratization and UN Peacebuilding" project.

Abstract. Many international organizations (IOs) provide assistance to governments through country offices or peacekeeping operations. Sometimes, government aut

10/07/2023

Well, well, well, what's this? Why it's our latest newsletter, with important updates about publications, research, and what some of our current and former brilliant students have been up to. You'd be sad to miss it. Don't miss it.

The latest from the Conflict, Security and Development Research Group Professor Mats Berdal - CSDRG Director Dr Kieran Mitton - CSDRG Research Director

18/05/2023

Looking to deepen your understanding of conflict, the challenges of peacebuilding, and how trends such as global climate change are shaping human security?

There's still time to apply to our world-leading MA in Conflict, Security and Development: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/courses/conflict-security-and-development-ma

For two decades our MA has provided students with expert tuition on the interlinked challenges of conflict, security and development, offered by world-leading scholars based in the prestigious Deptartment of War Studies at King's College London.

Our grads go on to do great things. Many find the MA useful as they conduct influential research in academia and think tanks, shape policy in governments and international organisations, and work on the ground in humanitarian emergencies. But don’t just take our word for it...

06/04/2023

Our director Prof Mats Berdal spoke at T.wai - Torino World Affairs Institute earlier this week about his new book on the political economy of peace operations, with reflections from Sierra Leone chapter author Dr Kieran Mitton and comments from Turin's Prof Stefano Ruzza. You can read about the book here https://routledge.com/The-Political-Economy-of-Civil-War-and-UN-Peace-Operations/Berdal-Sherman/p/book/9781032164441

29/03/2023

Who are the actors of the political economy of civil wars? What is the impact of UN peace operations?

Mats Berdal (King's College London) will present and discuss his latest book with Kieran Mitton (King's College London) and Stefano Ruzza (T.wai & University of Turin).

🗓️ Monday 3 April, h. 14-16
📍 Campus Einaudi (Turin), sala lauree rossa piccola

The event is organised by the University of Turin, in cooperation with T.wai.

20/01/2023

On 30 January 2023, 12:30 – 14:00, CSDRG member Prof Oisín Tansey will chair the launch of ‘Handbook of Peacekeeping and International Relations’ edited by Prof Han Dorussen

The editor and chapter authors will cover the following topics:

- UN peacekeeping and international relations (Prof Han Dorussen, University of Essex)
- Peacekeeping and postwar violence (Dr Jessica Di Salvatore, University of Warwick)
- Peacekeeping and conflict resolution (Prof Andrea Ruggeri, Oxford University)
- Public information and strategic communications (Dr Kseniya Oksamytna, CSDRG member, City University of London)
- Unemployment, violence, and trust towards peacekeepers (Dr Prabin B. Khadka, University of Essex)

Register for this in-person event using the link below.

Integrating comparative empirical studies with cutting-edge theory, the Handbook of Peacekeeping and International Relations provides a comprehensive overview of the study and practice of peacekeeping.