Higher Education Today - Peace and Conflict Studies

In February 2024, Professor Hamber and MSc student Catherine Ferrin at Ulster University participated in a US television show entitled "Higher Education Today - Peace and Conflict Studies". The programme focused on the MSc Peace and Conflict Studies and how learning from it can be applied to different contexts. It recently garnered two prestigious awards, highlighting its impact and quality. Firstly, it received a Bronze Telly Award in the Political & Commentary category, a significant recognition in the industry. Additionally, the segment was honoured by the Society of Professional Journalists Washington D.C. Chapter in the Television, Commentary & Criticism category, further emphasising its excellence. The show was filmed by Ulster film students, so a significant achievement for all concerned. 

If you want to watch the show visit:  

Conflict museums and nostalgia

I have a new article out "Conflict museums, nostalgia, and dreaming of never again" published in Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Vol 18(3), Aug 2012, 268-281.

The abstract reads as follows: Sites that mark atrocity span the globe including Villa Grimaldi in Chile, the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum in eastern China, and Robben Island in South Africa. Generally such sites seek to have some form of social and individual impact. Typically they seek to educate the next generation and prevent future forms of atrocity by revealing the past. It is contended that an overly emotional focus on the narratives of victims at such sites can limit understanding of the dynamics that cause violence. The article also explores whether there is a nostalgic element to conflict museums. Although it seems counterintuitive that nostalgia would have any place in thinking back on periods of extreme violence, it is argued that nostalgia is present in a number of ways. How this plays out in postapartheid South Africa is specifically explored. The article concludes by highlighting the dangers in South Africa of what can be termed a regenerative nostalgia for the “struggle” against apartheid and the perceived unifying peace process that followed.

For more details see click here.

MSc. in Applied Peace and Conflict Studies

In case there are any of you out there still considering a masters programme for next year I wanted to recommend our new MSc. at INCORE. In 2012 Ulster will celebrate 25 years of masters level provision in peace and conflict studies by launching the newly designed MSc. in Applied Peace and Conflict Studies. Building on the previous MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, this internationally renowned programme, now based at INCORE (International Conflict Research Institute), has been re-structured to offer cutting-edge provision including a focus on comparative lesson learning from Northern Ireland; new technologies and peace; psychosocial approaches; development; and evaluation in conflict zones. The restructuring is timely and reinforces Ulster's position as a leader in terms of provision in the area. For more information.

Inter-group Forgiveness in Settings of Ethnic Conflict

Inter-group Forgiveness in Settings of Ethnic Conflict: Empirical Research, Peace and Conflict is pleased to announce a future special issue on the theme of inter-group forgiveness in settings of ethnic conflict. Professor Micheal D. Roe of Seattle Pacific University and the University of Ulster is serving as Guest Editor. Manuscripts must present empirical research. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are welcome. Studies from a variety of national or cultural settings are encouraged. Inquiries should be directed to Micheal Roe. Phone: (206) 281-2252; email: mroe@spu.edu. Submission deadline: 1 October 2003.