A lone soldier with a gun stands in a desolate landscape

Peace, Conflict and Security research group

Researching issues of international peace and conflict


The Peace, Conflict and Security (PSC) research group is an interdisciplinary forum for sharing research, knowledge and research practice focused on the intertwined fields of peace, security and conflict studies.

The group supports the University's cross-Faculty Security and risk theme, and our work exploring the changing character of security contributes to knowledge of these issues and produces policy-relevant research to address them.

We also organise events, offer opportunities for PhD students to present their research and engage with external partners through our work.

Our research

Our members focus on research areas including:

  • Security and development
  • War and film
  • Religious extremism
  • Insurgency and political violence
  • War and the body
  • The character of warfare
  • International relations theory
  • Emotion and terrorism
  • African security
  • Gender and security
  • Multinational warfare and coalitions
  • Cyber security
  • Weapons of mass destruction 
  • Socio-technical Security

Publication highlights

Research projects

Our members have collaborated with Chatham House and FCO Research Analysts on insecurity and violent extremism in the Sahel. Our work has already generated input into policymaking in Nigeria and the UK, and has further potential for policy impact.

We have strong international links with organisations, such as the West Africa Peace and Security Network, University of Ibadan (Nigeria), Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Pisa.

Research group leads

Melita Elizabeth Lazell Portrait

Media ready expert

Dr Melita Lazell

Associate Head (Research)

melita.lazell@port.ac.uk

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

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Patricia Daisy Shamai Portrait

Dr Patricia Shamai

Associate Head (Students)

Patricia.Shamai@port.ac.uk

School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics, and Literature

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

PhD Supervisor

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PhD candidates

  • Sorina Toltica: Remote Warfare in Nigeria
  • Sophie Quintin Adali: Towards African Seapower? The Case of Senegal

We welcome PhD applications related to the themes of peace, conflict and security. Please contact Ed Stoddard to discuss PhD research opportunities with us.