Civic Network Research: A New Methodology for Conducting Ethical and Policy-relevant Peace and Conflict Research

Authors: Monalisa Adhikari, Juline Beaujouan, Matthew Benson-Strohmayer, Luke Cooper, Andrii Darkovich, Tim Epple, Mazen Gharibah, Sophie Gueudet, Mary Kaldor, Nisar Majid, Myanmar Policy Institute, Marika Theros, Reem Turkmani, and Florian Weigand

This policy brief outlines the concept of ‘Civic Network Research’ as it has been developed by the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PeaceRep) research programme. Civic Network Research is one of PeaceRep’s main methodological approaches next to its peace analytics and data-driven work. The brief is aimed at leadership of academic institutions and policymakers as well as funders of policy-relevant peace and conflict research.

The policy brief is structured into three parts. The first part identifies key challenges of undertaking research in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and how these can be addressed through Civic Network Research design and strategies. The second part addresses examples of the implementation of Civic Network Research from the PeaceRep programme, including in Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. The third part outlines recommendations for institutions on the basis of our experience of undertaking Civic Network Research.