Peace Research Institute Oslo

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Peace Research Institute Oslo
Institutt for fredsforskning
AbbreviationPRIO
Formation1959;65 years ago (1959)
Founder Johan Galtung
TypeResearch institute
Headquarters Oslo, Norway
Staff
Ca. 100
Website prio.org

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO; Norwegian : Institutt for fredsforskning) is a private research institution in peace and conflict studies, based in Oslo, Norway, with around 100 employees. It was founded in 1959 by a group of Norwegian researchers led by Johan Galtung, who was also the institute's first director (1959–1969). It publishes the Journal of Peace Research , also founded by Johan Galtung.

Contents

History and governance

Johan Galtung, PRIO's founder and first director, is regarded as the principal founder of peace and conflict studies, and coined the term peacebuilding Johan Galtung - Trento.JPG
Johan Galtung, PRIO's founder and first director, is regarded as the principal founder of peace and conflict studies, and coined the term peacebuilding

PRIO was founded in 1959 by a group of Norwegian researchers led by Johan Galtung. The institute originally was a department of the Norwegian Institute for Social Research in Oslo and became an independent institute in 1966. It was one of the first centres of peace research in the world, and it is Norway's only peace research institute. [1] The institute's director since 2017 is Henrik Urdal, with Torunn Tryggestad as deputy director. Since 2005, the institute has been located in the former gas works building in central Oslo.

PRIO is an independent foundation, governed by a seven-member board. The board includes two PRIO employees, two members appointed by the Research Council of Norway, one member appointed by the Institute for Social Research, one by the University of Oslo, and one by the Nordic International Studies Association. [2]

Previous PRIO directors are, chronologically, Johan Galtung (1959–69), Asbjørn Eide (1970, 1980–81), Helge Hveem (1971), Nils Petter Gleditsch (1972, 1977–78), Kjell Skjelsbæk (1973–74), Ole Kristian Holthe (1975–76), Tord Høivik (1979–80, 1984–86), Marek Thee (1981–83), Sverre Lodgaard (1986–92), Hilde Henriksen Waage (const., 1992–93), Dan Smith (1993–2001), Stein Tønnesson (2001–09), Kristian Berg Harpviken (2009-2017), and Henrik Urdal (2017–present). After Galtung's resignation in 1969, the institute staff elected a leader for one year at a time. In 1986 this was changed to a three-year period, and again in 1993 to a maximum of two consecutive four-year periods. [1]

PRIOs first chairman of the board was Erik Rinde (1966–79), director of Institute for Social Research. He was succeeded by Torstein Eckhoff (1979–1986), Bernt Bull (1987–94), Frida Nokken (1995-2000), Helge Pharo (2000–2003), Øyvind Østerud (2004–06), Bernt Aardal (2007–2016) and Åslaug Marie Haga (2016 – present). [1]

PRIO is mainly funded by the Research Council of Norway and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with some additional funding from the Ministry of Defence, various international organisations such as the World Bank and the European Union, and private foundations. PRIO has around 100 employees. Its headquarters are located in central Oslo.

Research

The Peace Research Institute Oslo PRIO.JPG
The Peace Research Institute Oslo

The institute's purpose, as formulated in the statutes, is "to engage in research concerning the conditions for peaceful relations between nations, groups and individuals". [2] Researchers come from a variety of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, including political science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, human geography, history, history of religion, and philosophy. Output from the research is primarily published as articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, anthologies or monographs, but also as more policy-oriented reports and papers such as PRIO's in-house series.

Approximately 15 percent of the institute's budget is made up of a core grant from the Research Council of Norway, and the remaining 85 per cent is funded on project basis. [3] The two largest project funders are the Research Council of Norway and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other funders include the European Union, the World Bank, and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. In 2009, PRIO initiated the founding of the US based Peace Research Endowment.

In Oslo, PRIO hosted the Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers, which was shut down in 2017 due to lack of funding. [4] This was a joint initiative of PRIO, the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian Church Aid to help block the spread of small arms to areas where they are likely to be used in warfare, armed violence or human rights abuses. [5]

The staff comprises a core group of 40-50 full-time researchers and support staff. In addition, there are researchers with a part-time affiliation with PRIO, visiting scholars, interns and students.

Research centres

Centre for the Study of Civil War

From 2003 to 2012, PRIO hosted the Centre for the Study of Civil War, one of the original 13 "Centres of Excellence" in Norway. The director for the full 10-year period was Scott Gates. [6]

Cyprus Centre

The institute maintains a centre in Nicosia, Cyprus, known as the PRIO Cyprus Centre. Through its network, projects and dialogue forums, the PRIO Cyprus Centre aims to foster cooperation between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and strengthen regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean at large. [7]

Centre on Gender, Peace and Security

In 2015, PRIO established their Centre on Gender, Peace and Security, which is engaged in research in gender and conflict studies. In particular, the centre studies issues like sexual violence in conflict situations, women's representation in mediation and post-conflict settlements, and gender security. [8]

Journals

PRIO owns two academic journals, both edited at the institute and published by SAGE Publications: Journal of Peace Research , edited by Scott Gates, and Security Dialogue , edited by Mark B. Salter.

Education

PRIO building in Hausmanns gate Peace Research Institute of Oslo.jpg
PRIO building in Hausmanns gate

PRIO provides a limited number of education services. [9] The Research School on Peace and Conflict is a multidisciplinary training center, where a number of courses are taught by visiting scholars. Partner institutions include the University of Oslo and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Courses concentrate on academic writing, research methodology and topical issues. [10]

Until 2013, PRIO and Bjørknes College provided joint master's degree programs with Australian National University and the University of Stellenbosch in international political economy and conflict dynamics, as well as peace and conflict studies. [9]

PRIO Annual Peace Address

Initiated in 2010, the PRIO Annual Peace Address intends to create awareness, stir public debate and increase understanding about the conditions for peace in the world. Inviting researchers and other people with strong views on peace-related topics, the idea is to challenge the peace research community by suggesting new measures and bringing new perspectives on peace and war.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Oslo</span> Norwegian public research university

The University of Oslo is a public research university located in Oslo, Norway. It is the oldest university in Norway. Originally named the Royal Frederick University, the university was established in 1811 as the de facto Norwegian continuation of Denmark-Norway's common university, the University of Copenhagen, with which it shares many traditions. It was named for King Frederick VI of Denmark and Norway, and received its current name in 1939. The university was commonly nicknamed "The Royal Frederick's" before the name change, and informally also referred to simply as Universitetet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johan Galtung</span> Norwegian sociologist and peace scholar

Johan Vincent Galtung is a Norwegian sociologist who is the principal founder of the discipline of peace and conflict studies. He was the main founder of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in 1959 and served as its first director until 1970. He also established the Journal of Peace Research in 1964.

Stein Dorenfeldt Tønnesson, is a Norwegian historian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peace and conflict studies</span> Field of study

Peace and conflict studies or conflict analysis and resolution is a social science field that identifies and analyzes violent and nonviolent behaviors as well as the structural mechanisms attending conflicts, with a view towards understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable human condition. A variation on this, peace studies (irenology), is an interdisciplinary effort aiming at the prevention, de-escalation, and solution of conflicts by peaceful means, thereby seeking "victory" for all parties involved in the conflict.

The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs is a Norwegian research institution based in Oslo, Norway. It was established by the Norwegian Parliament in 1959.

<i>Journal of Peace Research</i> Academic journal

The Journal of Peace Research is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes scholarly articles and book reviews in the fields of peace and conflict studies, conflict resolution, and international security. It was established by Johan Galtung in 1964 and has been published since 1998. Nils Petter Gleditsch was editor-in-chief from 1983 to 2010; between 2010 and 2017 the editor was Henrik Urdal, and as of July 2010 the editor is Gudrun Østby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DCAF</span> Security sector research foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland

DCAF- ; Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance is an intergovernmental foundation-based think tank that provides research and project support to states and international actors in improving security sector governance and reform.

Hilde Henriksen Waage is a Norwegian historian and peace researcher. She is Professor of History at the University of Oslo and was acting Director of Peace Research Institute Oslo from 1992 to 1993. Waage is an expert on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and Norway–Israel relations.

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international foundation that was established in 1995 under Swiss law to "promote the building and maintenance of peace, security and stability". The GCSP was founded by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as a Swiss contribution to Partnership for Peace (PfP).

Sverre Lodgaard is a Norwegian political scientist who has held several senior positions within government and non-governmental organizations, including the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI). Lodgaard specializes in peace, foreign and security policy, but has also worked on developing country issues. He has since the 2000s written extensively on nuclear arms control and disarmament issues and on Middle East affairs.

Helga Marie Hernes is a German-born Norwegian political scientist, diplomat, and politician for the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristian Berg Harpviken</span> Norwegian sociologist and researcher

Kristian Berg Harpviken is a Norwegian sociologist and researcher, and since 2009 director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Harpviken is foremost known for his competence on Afghanistan, where he has travelled extensively and conducted multiple field works since he first engaged with the country in 1989.

Nils Petter Gleditsch is a Norwegian sociologist and political scientist. He is Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). In 2009, Nils Petter Gleditsch was awarded the annual Award for Outstanding Research by the Research Council of Norway. He won the Norwegian Sociological Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Gates (academic)</span>

Scott Gates is an American political scientist and economist based in Norway. He was director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)'s Centre for the Study of Civil War (CSCW), which was a Norwegian Center of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway for a twelve-year period 2002-2013. He is currently a Research Professor at PRIO, a Guest Researcher at ESOP in the Department of Economics at the University in Oslo and also holds a professorship in the Department of Political science at the University of Oslo. He used to work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Michigan State University (MSU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. Peter Burgess</span> American philosopher, political scientist (born 1961)

J. Peter Burgess is a philosopher and political scientist. He is Professor and Director of the Chair of Geopolitics of Risk at the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. He is series editor of the Routledge New Security Studies collection. His research and writing concern the meeting place between science, culture and politics in particular in Europe, focusing most recently on value theory and digital technologies. He has published 18 books and over 100 articles in the fields of philosophy, political science, gender studies, cultural history, security studies and cultural theory. He has contributed to research and educational policy in Norway, France, Poland and the European Commission. In addition, he has developed and directed a number of comprehensive collaborative research projects with Norwegian and European partners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrik Urdal</span>

Henrik Urdal is a Norwegian political scientist and the current director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Before his appointment as director in 2017 he was a research professor and research director at the institute. He was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Peace Research, the premier journal in the field, from 2010 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Smith (British author)</span> Author and peace researcher

Dan Smith OBE is a British author, cartographer and peace researcher. He is currently the Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh</span> Iranian-American scholar

Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh is an Iranian-American researcher, university lecturer, and United Nations consultant in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, and radicalization, best known for her work in "Human Security" and for contributions in the republics of Central Asia and Afghanistan, as cited by the New York Times and other publications as well as hundreds of scholarly publications. Currently, she is a lecturer at Sciences Po, researcher, and consultant to the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrik Syse</span> Norwegian philosopher, author, and lecturer

Henrik Syse is a Norwegian philosopher, author, and lecturer. He is a research professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and a part-time Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Bjørknes College in Oslo. He was a member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, from 2015 to 2020, and was a member of the Norwegian Press Complaints Commission from 2002 to 2016. Syse also teaches at the Norwegian Defence University College, BI Norwegian Business School, MF Norwegian School of Theology, the University of Oslo, and other institutions of higher learning, and he is Chief Editor of the Journal of Military Ethics, a peer-reviewed journal published by Taylor & Francis.

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) Director's Shortlist is a list of candidates considered worthy to win the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts and actions for the promotion of peace. It has been prepared by the director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo since 2002, and is a list of the most worthy potential Nobel laureates based on independent research and assessments.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Forr, Gudleiv. (2009). Strid og fred. Fredsforskning i 50 år: PRIO 1959-2009. Oslo: Pax
  2. 1 2 PRIO statutes (2010), Retrieved 13 August 2013
  3. "Income Statement", in PRIO Annual Report 2011 (retrieved 13 August 2013)
  4. "Home Page". Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers. PRIO. October 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  5. Ole-Petter Sunde (1999), "The Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers: West Africa and Beyond", in The Geneva Forum. Seminars on Small Arms (Volume 1), Geneva: The Geneva Forum (retrieved 13 August 2013)
  6. Christian Lund & Else Lie (2012), "Supplying tools to counteract civil war", Research Council of Norway website (retrieved 13 August 2013)
  7. PRIO Cyprus Centre website, Retrieved 13 August 2013
  8. "About the PRIO GPS Centre". PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and Security. PRIO. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Education and Courses". PRIO. PRIO. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  10. ""The Research School on Peace and Conflict offers the best possible research training for the next generation of peace and conflict scholars."". Research School on Peace and Conflict. PRIO. Retrieved 21 May 2019.