The PeaceRep Global Fragmentation project looks at fragmentations in the global order and how these impact peace and transition settlements. It explores why, when, and how different third-party actors – state, intergovernmental, and non-governmental – intervene in conflicts, and how they see themselves contributing to reduction of conflict and risks of conflict relapse. It also asks how local actors are navigating this multiplicity of mediators and peacebuilders and how this is shaping conflict outcomes and post-conflict governance.

In an era of global fragmentation and deep uncertainty, the project systematically and critically assesses the growth and diversification of global and regional responses to contemporary conflicts. There is an urgent need to understand how peacemaking practices built up over the last three decades are changing in terms of which actors intervene in what we might have conceived of as the peacebuilding domain, in what constellations, and with what tools. This allows us to better understand the possible constraints and entry points for supporting conflict prevention and conflict management.

The project is producing dedicated case and trends studies as part of the PeaceRep Global Transitions series (see below) and is developing two complementary datasets: Third Parties in Peace Agreements (PAA-X) and MEND (Mediation Event and Negotiator Database).

Team

PeaceRep Global Fragmentation work is led by Dr Mateja Peter at the University of St Andrews. Dr Sanja Badanjak at the University of Edinburgh acts as the project co-lead. Dr Elisa D’Amico and Kasia Houghton (both University of St Andrews) contribute to the project on data collection and research side, with visualisations supported by Niamh Henry and Dr Tomas Vancisin (both University of Edinburgh).