Conflicts, war, the road to peace and the role of the University
Through research and independent analyses, the University contributes towards understanding and addressing conflicts around the world. The knowledge produced can give policy makers a better basis for promoting peace and security.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Podcast 4 March 2026
Vice Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt in a conversation with Dag Hammarskjöld Professor Emeritus Peter Wallensteen, about the current world situation, the Department of Peace and Conflict Research and how researchers from Uppsala University have contributed in the struggle for peace and the knowledge about conflicts in the world.
A summary of the podcast
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP)
The Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) is the world’s main provider of data on organised violence and the oldest ongoing data collection project for civil war, with a history of more than 40 years. Its definition of armed conflict has become the global standard of how conflicts are systematically defined and studied.
To the Uppsala Conflict Data Program
Department of Peace and Conflict Research
Peace and Conflict Research is a discipline that addresses crucial issues in a troubled world. Why are there armed conflicts? How do we reach a durable peace?
Department of Government
Analysing the conditions of political power and the prerequisites for functioning democratic institutions.
The Violence & Impacts Early-Warning System (VIEWS)
The Violence & Impacts Early-Warning System (VIEWS) is an analytical tool that forecasts where in the world armed conflicts could arise. The forecasts are based on open data available in the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) database. VIEWS analyses the risk of three types of political violence: state-based conflicts, including conflicts involving states and rebel groups; armed conflict between non-state actors; and violence against civilians.
Research environments
Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament
In an increasingly uncertain world, the risk of nuclear weapons being used is greater than it has been for a long time. The Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament (AMC) was established in 2021 at Uppsala University, Sweden, to provide teaching, research, and policy support on nuclear disarmament.
Uppsala Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (UHGS)
Research and educational unit at Uppsala University, with the primary objective of advancing and facilitating innovative, internationally oriented research and education in the field of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The subject encompasses Holocaust history, the study of genocide and similar systematic crimes against human rights, and the effects of violence on individuals and society.
Swedish Institute of International Law
Works to promote research and teaching of international law. Founder and donor Harry Axelsson Iohnson was of the opinion that peace among nations depended much upon the development of international law and its dissemination to a wider public.
The Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies
The Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies (IRES) is a national resource centre for knowledge and analysis of Russia and the post-Soviet sphere. The research at IRES is also a part of the government’s strategic initiative in the research field “politically important geographic regions.”
Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism (CEMFOR)
Conducts, supports and coordinates broad-ranging, methodologically diverse and inclusive, as well as multidisciplinary research on racism, discrimination and exclusion.
News about peace and conflict research
Uppsala innovation in cyber security to help NATO
The serious security situation around the world is increasing the need for innovative technologies for defence applications. Earlier this ye...
National identity affects the willingness to defend the country
The willingness to defend one’s country is shaped by more than national pride. A new study from the Swedish Defence University and Uppsala U...
Uppsala researcher testified about war crimes in Sudan
For a full day, Johan Brosché, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, testified in a historic war crimes trial – the Lundin Oil ...
Alva Myrdal and The Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament
Alva Myrdal was a Swedish politician and diplomat who became internationally recognised as a disarmament negotiator and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 for her efforts.
She was born in Uppsala and was the oldest child in a fairly well-to-do family. Her father was a socialist and her mother a liberal. The family moved many times. Alva Myrdal studied at Uppsala University and elsewhere, taking a Bachelor of Arts degree in Stockholm in 1924.
In an increasingly uncertain world, the risk of nuclear weapons being used is greater than it has been for a long time. The Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament (AMC) was established in 2021 at Uppsala University, Sweden, to provide teaching, research, and policy support on nuclear disarmament.
1961
Dag Hammarskjöld receives the Nobel Peace Prize
1971
Unit for peace and conflict research
2021
Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament
Discover more of our research on peace and democracy
Peace and social security
How do we create a safe and secure world?
Democracy
Interdisciplinary research between strong research environments.
Human rights
Uppsala University has great expertise in the area and the capacity to conduct strong basic research.
Migration and racism
Research on integration and the labour market, for example at Uppsala Immigration Lab.
