Conflict Studies Research Center

Overview

The Conflict Studies Research Center (CSRC) is based at the Arab American University’s Ramallah campus. It is a hub for scholarly activities centered on conflict studies.

Our center facilitates intellectual pursuits through research, conferences, collaborative projects, and partnerships with universities. Engaging in diverse fields related to conflict within the social sciences and beyond, we strive to disseminate knowledge through student training, meetings, and research publications. Here, students and academics are invited to actively contribute to the nuanced exploration of political conflict issues.

Vision

The Conflict Studies Research Center aspires to be a leading hub for critical thought, research, and dialogue on the Palestinian cause and broader issues of conflict and resolution. It envisions empowering scholars, policymakers, and communities with knowledge that promotes justice, strengthens resilience, and supports the pursuit of lasting peace both locally and globally.

Mission

Studying the political and social developments of the Palestinian cause in its local, regional and international contexts, producing policy papers specialized in conflict resolution and related topics. The center provides a free and independent platform for intellectuals, thinkers, politicians, and academics.

Position values

Academic excellence

Credibility

National interest

Research

strategic

Community Development

Academic freedom

critical thinking

Center objectives

Standing as a research institute provides a platform for researchers and students to produce and publish academic papers.

Act as a think tank to regularly produce political and strategic papers on sensitive Palestinian issues, in addition to conducting research and studies on conflict, peace, and development.

Providing practical policy insights and guidance to national decision makers.

Center projects

Erasmus+2018

In 2018, we proudly collaborated with Erasmus+ in the Capacity Building for Higher Education program, winning with our proposed project, "Strengthening of Research Capacity on Policy, Conflict Resolution, and Reconciliation." This initiative facilitated workshops and student-academic exchanges, significantly boosting our research capabilities and advancing insights into conflict-related topics.

NOREF

As part of their international work committed to mitigating and resolving conflicts through informal diplomacy and providing practical support to Norwegian and international mediation efforts; NOREF launched its Fall of 2022 project with CSRC.

The project was launched with focus group discussions, followed by a series of engaging lectures, and concluded with a second round of in-depth focus group sessions. This initiative falls in line with NOREF's dedication to supporting conflict parties in preventing, mitigating, and resolving conflicts through informal diplomacy.

Bridging Insights

Embarking on a collaborative journey with Bridging Insights, our primary research initiative centers around stakeholder mapping in Palestine. Beyond our research efforts, we actively host a series of regular lectures in partnership with Bridging Insights, featuring esteemed academics from abroad. These lectures serve as a dynamic forum for the exchange of diverse perspectives, enriching our collective understanding of conflict-related issues.

International Academic Lectures

With the assistance of our international partners, we have had the pleasure of welcoming prominent scholars to our center and giving lectures to our students, faculty, and members of our community. We have had the pleasure of hosting Noam Chomsky, Mark Tessler, Rashid Khalidi, and many more.

Women’s Empowerment
In cooperation with Forward Thinking, CSRC hosted many focus groups and roundtables including prominent female leaders from the Palestinian scene. The Women’s network has expanded to include Palestinian women from urban, rural and refugee setting as well as social, political and economic renowned positions. The network meets to discuss the issues affecting Palestinian women today within the conflict zones of Palestine.
Ireland Trip
As part of our commitment to academic exploration, CSRC's academic staff undertook a visit to universities in Northern Ireland. This trip aimed to explore the post-conflict context in Ireland after its resolution.

Expected accomplishments

Working together with the leading conflict resolution institutes and the reputable peace studies centers around the world. The CSRC will fill the gap for researchers by introducing a forum that brings together researchers and centers from around the world with Palestinian researchers.

Due to the multi-party formula of Palestinian politics, decision makers in Palestine are in deep need of an academic neutral Think Tank, the CSRC will provide policy analysis and recommendations irrespective to political affiliation. As a result, the center is committed to fill the research gap in the Palestinian political life.

The Conflict Studies Research Center shall serve the Palestinian national interests by trying to work in harmony with the political decision-making quarters in Palestine.

Academic research in conflict-resolution shall be strengthened by brining together researchers and political strategists from Palestine and the region with the involvement of the leading international conflict resolution institutes. Leading the policy and conflict resolution academic research in Palestine, the center will stand as a platform to serve academics and in particular Palestinian graduate students or researchers in Conflict-Resolution and related fields.

Center publications

Board of Directors

Get to know the board of directors

Dr. Nahed Habiballah – Director

Dr. Lana Shehadeh – Assistant Director

Dr. Ayman Yousef – Qualitative Research Expert

Dr. Faisal Awartani – Quantitative Research Expert

Board of Trustees

Get to know the board of directors

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Center staff

Get to know the board of directors

Mr. Bara Azmooti – Research Assistant

Partners

Get to know our local and global partners

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