Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford

16/06/2026

Three of our PSID colleagues presented at the recent conference titled, ‘The Education Track and SoTL in Politics and IR’, co-organized by UCLs Centre for Pedagogy of Politics and the ASPIRE Network.

Dr Maria Ambrozy presented 'Not My Hero' project, demonstrating how rethinking participation, ownership, and learning can empower students to become active co-creators and co-producers of knowledge, rather than passive recipients of education.

Dr Sudhir Selvaraj presented reflections on PSIDs annual Theatre of the Oppressed workshop and how participation can be built into the teaching of politics.

Dr Anisha Samantra presented her project, Dancing Rivers, highlighting the value of embodied practices in teaching and learning.

Forums like this are great reminders of the essential need to continue developing teaching practices to ensure they are relevant and potent for an ever-changing world.

Many thanks to the organisers for bringing us together and hosting such an engaging event.

University of Bradford

09/06/2026

In a world of conflict and uncertainty, Peace Studies remains as pertinent as ever, offering valuable insights into some of the most urgent issues of our time.

Despite—or perhaps because of—what is currently happening in the world, it provides us with critical tools for understanding and responding to complex conflicts, and for exploring how societies can resolve them, heal, reconcile, and transform.

In yesterday's article in Times Higher Education, our Head of Department, Dr Rhys Kelly, reflects on why Peace Studies remains vital in an era of conflict, division, and uncertainty. He highlights that Peace Studies is not a niche academic area whose relevance is confined to history. As always, he skilfully links the rich intellectual heritage and complex history of Peace Studies to the global challenges underscoring the enduring relevance of peacebuilding, dialogue, and critical engagement in the pursuit of more peaceful societies.

Read the full article: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/can-peace-studies-thrive-era-strongmen-leaders

Learn more about Dr Rhys Kelly and his work:
https://www.bradford.ac.uk/staff/rhskelly2/

Explore our Peace Studies and International Development programmes:
https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/pg/?query=peace

15/05/2026

On the way back now from our study visit to Northern Ireland. We were lucky to be able to meet with peacebuilders, storytellers, academics and changemakers from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and to complicate and deepen our understandings of what working towards peace can look, sound and feel like. Many of the people we met commented on the diversity of our group too - bringing experiences and questions from twelve different countries really enriched our conversations!

10/05/2026

Our Department’s annual Study Visit to Northern Ireland set off to a promising start as our students dove head-first into two of Belfast's foundational points of interest. Thanks to the insight of our tour guides, Gerard and Jake, our students embarked on a journey through history, legacy, and memory as they walked the curbs of the Shankill and Falls Roads, taking in centuries’ worth of events and allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by the contradictions and complexity, while also appreciating the nuance and hope that emerged through the dualistic storytelling of our guides and their communities’ murals, artworks, memorials, and local points of interest.

One participant commented: 'As the questions mount and the answers still seem few and far between, we look forward to learning more about Northern Ireland — a visit that is already shaping up to be a meaningful and thought-provoking journey once more'...

01/05/2026

It is with great sorrow that we learned of the passing of Hamid Khalafallah, our former MA International Development student and Chevening Scholar. Moments like this remind us how closely connected the global community of peace and development changemakers truly is. The loss of such an energetic, exceptionally talented, caring and considerate researcher and activist is deeply felt across Sudan, Africa and beyond.

Hamid’s work on participatory governance, democratisation, citizen–state engagement, and inclusive development reflected his commitment to meaningful and lasting change. He embodied a powerful combination of peace-oriented academic insight and principled activism, values that lie close to the heart of our community.

You can read more about Hamid's work here: https://thesudanist.com/sudan-mourns-sudden-death-of-analyst-and-activist-hamid-khalafallah/

We, in the Department of Peace Studies and International Development, join colleagues and partners around the world in expressing our heartfelt condolences and honouring Hamid's legacy.

Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all those whose lives he touched.

30/04/2026

Our PSID Team had a strong presence at last week's Bradford Impact Festival, which highlighted projects that have made a real difference in the community over the past year. Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 has clearly injected new energy into community celebration and engagement.

Highlighting and building on this positive momentum, our colleagues were visible throughout the festival, from poster presentations to panel discussions:

- Four poster presentations were on display: one led by Prof Fiona Macaulay, one by Dr Maria Ambrozy (https://www.notmyhero.co.uk/), and two by Dr Sudhir Selvaraj.

- Dr Ute Kelly and Prof PB Anand participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion on how arts can be incorporated into research impact (the panel was chaired by Prof Macaulay).

- Notably, Dr Selvaraj's work on co-producing a board game with sanctuary seekers in Bradford was featured in multiple sessions throughout the day.

Thank you to the Research, Innovation and Business Engagement team at the University of Bradford for running the Festival, and a special shout-out to Alyx Mattison for putting it all together.

24/04/2026

This week, students on our Creative Practice module shared their learning from collaborative group projects. The themes they'd explored together included home, anger and rage, social media, leadership and hope, and they found creative and thought-provoking ways to present their insights and provoke further reflection. And then we went for a picnic in the sunshine to celebrate the end of a long and intense semester!

17/04/2026

Some pictures from the 6 Decades Later: 'Has the Peace Studies Problem been solved yet?' event as part of the University of Bradford 60th anniversary special. For those who don't know this quote is famously attributed to Margaret Thatcher who at one point tried to shut down the department. Over a bit more than 5 decades the department has weathered many storms to become a vital centre of peace research and education.

We had over 200 participants gather online and in person on campus. Thank you to all our alumni, colleagues and well-wishers. We are proud of all that we have been able to accomplish and realise that our work is more essential now than ever before

15/04/2026

What are you doing this evening?

We will be tuning in to a special panel discussion, hosted by Professor Paul Rogers, where we will explore the continuing relevance of Peace Studies in an increasingly turbulent world.

There is still time to book for this in-person and online event: https://www.bradford.ac.uk/events/whats-on/has-that-peace-studies-problem-been-dealt-with-yet/

Steeped in history and founded with support from figures including Harold Wilson, JB Priestley and the Quakers, Bradford’s Peace Studies department has gone on to help shape global thinking on conflict and security. Over the past five decades it has contributed expertise to the UK Government, Unit...