DPIR and United Nations Launch New Peace and Security Fellowship in Trinity Term
The University of Oxford and the United Nations are delighted to launch a first-of-its-kind Peace and Security Fellowship, aimed at strengthening the future of UN peace operations at a time of rising global instability and increasing pressure on multilateral security institutions.
Established by the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) in partnership with the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Fellowship brings serving UN practitioners to Oxford to undertake policy‑relevant research on peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and political missions.
During the eight‑week programme starting on Monday 27 April, ten selected UN Fellows from diverse professional backgrounds will step back from operational responsibilities to reflect on the strategic challenges facing contemporary peace operations. Supported by Oxford’s academic mentors across disciplines, the Fellowship is designed to help bridge the gap between academic research and policy practice at a moment when the effectiveness and legitimacy of UN peace operations are under sustained scrutiny.
The Fellowship is directed by Professor Richard Caplan, Professor of International Relations: “The international environment in which UN peace operations operate has changed profoundly,” said Professor Caplan. “Creating structured opportunities for practitioners to engage with rigorous academic research is essential if peace operations are to adapt to today’s political and security realities.”
The programme will culminate in a public lecture at Oxford on 18 June, delivered by UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Peace Operations, Jean‑Pierre Lacroix, reflecting on the future direction of UN peace operations.
DPIR’s Head of Department, Professor David Doyle, said the Fellowship reflects the department’s growing commitment to practitioner–scholar exchange: “By bringing UN practitioners into direct dialogue with researchers, we aim to generate fresh thinking on today’s peace and security challenges. At the same time, our students and academics benefit enormously from insights shared by those working on the front lines of global peace efforts.”
The Peace and Security Fellowship is supported by a generous contribution from Sai Prakash Leo Muthu and Sairam Institutions, in honour of the late Leo Muthu, Founder Chairman of the Sairam Institutions.
DPIR looks forward to welcoming the ten UN Fellows to the Department of Politics and International Relations and to sharing details of their important research during their time in Oxford from Monday 27 April.
