DPIR hosts Advancing Research on Conflict (ARC) training workshop

The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) was proud to host the annual Advancing Research on Conflict (ARC) mini-course this week at St Hilda’s College. Led by Dr Samuel Ritholtz (DPIR), Dr Kate Cronin-Furman (University College London), and Professor Milli Lake (London School of Economics), the four-day programme brought together graduate students from universities across the United States, Europe, and South America.

ARC is designed for PhD students and early-career scholars in political science and related fields who are preparing to conduct research in fragile and violence-affected contexts. The course equips participants with the tools to carry out rigorous, ethical, and safe fieldwork, while building professional support networks with peers and faculty working in similar environments. Rooted in the principle of “do no harm,” the programme helps researchers anticipate and navigate the risks that come with conducting research in conflict-affected settings.

Dr Ritholtz said: “We were delighted to host the Advancing Research on Conflict (ARC) programme this year at St Hilda’s College with the support of the DPIR’s IR Network. The programme is invaluable in equipping the next generation of researchers to conduct safe and ethical fieldwork in contexts affected by instability and conflict, while also building a lasting community of support among the researchers. Serving as a facilitator was particularly meaningful for me, as I had the privilege of being an ARC participant in 2023. The skills I gained through the programme continue to guide my work in the field today.”

Hosting this year’s course highlights DPIR’s commitment to supporting innovative, ethical, and impactful research, and we are proud to have played host to such an important initiative.