Department of Peace and Conflict Studies

The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies was established in May 1988 as a specialist research and teaching centre within The University of Sydney. It was opened by the Minister of Defence the Hon. Kim Beazley.

Operating mostly with volunteers in its early years, CPACS promoted interdisciplinary research and teaching on the causes of conflict and the conditions that affect conflict resolution and peace. Research projects and other activities focused on conflict resolution with a view to attaining peace with justice.

The Centre aimed to facilitate dialogue between individuals, groups or communities who are concerned with conditions of positive peace, whether in interpersonal relationships, community relations, within organisations and nations, or with reference to international relations. [2008 Annual Report]

By 2012 CPACS offered a postgraduate coursework program for full and part time study in Sydney or by a combination of online units and intensive face-to-face teaching, including Summer and Winter schools.

The Centre closed in 2016 and transitioned to its new constitution as the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, effective from 1 July 2016. The name change was approved by the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Garton. [Doc2016/852975]

The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies closed at the end of 2021 with staff of the Department to be moved to the Department of Sociology and Social Policy. [Honi Soit News April 14, 2021] 

Peace and Conflict Studies became a Specialisation offering three Master degrees Master of International Relations, of International Security and of Public Policy. The Peace and Conflict Studies specialisation was to provide students with an understanding of conflict dynamics, and prospects for making, keeping and building peace, in various political, social, economic and environmental contexts; will allow students to develop critical skills in the effective use of conflict analysis and peace promotion in the world while gaining skills to apply to real situations and create workable solutions; it addresses conflict issues at the local, national, regional and global levels, combining social, scientific and legal approaches to provide a holistic perspective on peace and social change. [https://www.sydney.edu.au/courses/subject-areas/spec/peace-and-conflict-studies0.html accessed 23/07/2024]