International and Political History

The International and Political History research group studies the processes of conflict, conflict resolution and integration at both international and national levels, examining them from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Part of the group focuses on the history of international relations – in particular, the international activities of states and non-state actors in respect of conflict and war on the one hand and, on the other, conflict resolution, integration and the development of humanitarian norms and values. 

Other researchers study political history and are primarily concerned with comparable political processes within states and societies. They focus on the shaping and change of political systems – including towns, corporations, NGOs and imperia – after the Middle Ages and in the area between the Atlantic Ocean and the Ural Mountains. 

The group houses the Centre for Conflict Studies, which investigates and facilitates intellectual and practical debates on the causes, dynamics and consequences of contemporary international and intrastate violent conflict, as well as the practices of conflict prevention and management and post-conflict peacebuilding.