Conflict & Society ● Research Priority Area ● University of Amsterdam

Conflict & Society RPA (Research Priority Area) at University of Amsterdam (UvA)
Francisco Goya: The Third of May 1808

Conflict & Society Research Priority Area (RPA)
at the University of Amsterdam (UvA)

Developing a deeper and multidisciplinary understanding about the dynamics of conflict – in all its different forms. Read more about our mission here. The RPA is based at:

  • Workshop: Unpacking Academic Writing: From Research to Publication

    Workshop with Dr. Sebastian van Baalen, hosted by ACCS and the RPA Conflict and Society

    Join us for this writing workshop with Sebastian van Baalen, Associate Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden. This workshop will offer a practical guide to moving from research to published article, taking participants step-by-step through the writing, submission, revision, and proof stages of the publication process.

    Drawing on more than a decade of professional writing experience and extensive insights from publishing, peer-reviewing, and supervising, the workshop demystifies common hurdles and provides concrete, actionable strategies for improving your academic writing and better selling your research. The aim of the workshop is that participants will leave with a clearer sense of how to craft a strong publishable manuscript, respond effectively to editors and reviewers, and manage the often opaque journey from first draft to final publication.

    This workshop is hosted by the Amsterdam Centre for Conflict Studies (ACCS) and the RPA Conflict and Society.

    About the speaker

    Dr. Sebastian van Baalen.

    Sebastian van Baalen is Associate Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University in Sweden. His research focuses on civilian agency and resistance in contexts characterized by violence and authoritarianism. He is currently leading a three-year research project on the consequences of election boycotts. Sebastian’s research has been published in a range of high-ranking academic journals, including American Political Science Review, Comparative Political Studies, Journal of Peace Research, Political Geography, and World Development. He has a background as a freelance journalist, and still considers writing the most exciting of his daily tasks.

    Register Here

  • News: Student Fellowships 2025-26 Officially Started

    News: Student Fellowships 2025-26 Officially Started

    Last week, the RPA Conflict & Society officially kicked off the Student Fellowships for the first semester of this year. 12 student fellows work on 10 projects, ranging from issues such as violence against children, intergenerational mental health, global conflicts that receive little media attention, experiences of microaggressions, the digitalisation of drug markets, cannabis supply modes, and Black Studies. They use different approaches, from experiments and surveys to fieldwork, data analysis, and systematic reviews. 

    A warm welcome to all student fellows! All projects can be found here.

    For the second semester, new positions on new projects will open near the end of this semester.

    RPA Conflict & Society (University of Amsterdam, UvA). Student Fellowship Semester 1 2025-26 Kick-off meeting
    RPA Conflict & Society (University of Amsterdam, UvA). Student Fellowship Semester 1 2025-26 Kick-off meeting
    RPA Conflict & Society (University of Amsterdam, UvA). Student Fellowship Semester 1 2025-26 Kick-off meeting

  • Closed: Bachelor Student Fellowships Conflict & Violence Projects (Semester 1 2025-26)

    Closed: Bachelor Student Fellowships Conflict & Violence Projects (Semester 1 2025-26)

    The applications for the Student Fellowships in Semester 1 2025-26 are now closed

    New Fellowships for the 2nd Semster will open later this year

    Are you interested in conflict or violence, and in research? Become a research assistant on a conflict or violence-related project! The student fellowship programme of the Research Priority Area (RPA) Conflict and Society at the UvA has several vacancies for research assistant fellowships.

    All fellowship projects are open to bachelor’s students at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) – regardless of discipline. Students should be in their second year or above. Fellowships are a maximum of 53 hours of work in total, for €19 per hour, on a freelance basis.

    See all Fellowship Projects in Semester 1 2025-26

  • Talk: Prof. Kent Eaton on Democratic Erosion and Resistance from Below

    Talk: Prof. Kent Eaton on Democratic Erosion and Resistance from Below

    The RPA Conflict & Society at UvA had the pleasure of hosting a talk by Prof. Kent Eaton (UC Santa Cruz) on Democratic Erosion and Resistance from Below. Prof. Eaton presented his research on how democratic erosion unfolds at the subnational level in the Americas, highlighting the role of local actors in both enabling and resisting autocratisation.Thanks to Prof. Eaton for his insights and all the participants’ thoughtful questions and remarks!

    Hosts: Dr. Abbey Steele & Dr. Imke Harbers

  • Seed Grants: RPA Conflict & Society awards €125K for innovative research on conflict and violence

    Seed Grants: RPA Conflict & Society awards €125K for innovative research on conflict and violence

    The RPA Conflict & Society announces €125,000 seed grants for 11 research projects exploring various societal issues

    Issues include political behavior, digital aggression, and land reform. The projects examine the impact of norms on politics, extremist content’s influence, teachers’ readiness for conflict education, and racial issues, aiming to enhance understanding of conflict dynamics. Please join us in congratulating the awardees! We look forward to the research to come.

    Read about all the funded projects here

  • Event: Democratic Erosion and Resistance from Below

    Event: Democratic Erosion and Resistance from Below

    Sign up for Prof. Kent Eaton’s talk

    In this talk, Professor Kent Eaton will explore how democratic erosion unfolds at the subnational level in the Americas, highlighting the role of local actors in both enabling and resisting autocratisation.

    Date: 28 March 2025 / Time: 12:00 -14:00 / Location: REC B9.22

    Register here

  • Talk: Defending and Rejecting Democratic Pluralism – The New American Conflict

    Conflict & Society RPA (Research Priority Area) University of Amsterdam (UvA)


    Against the backdrop of the 2024 U.S. elections, political scientist Lilliana Mason guides us through the divide between American Democrats and Republicans on questions of social equality. She’ll dive into the GOP’s internal struggle between those resisting progress and those fighting for a pluralistic America, and its profound implications for the future of democratic life. 

  • Event: Conflict & Society Research Priority Launch

    Event: Conflict & Society Research Priority Launch

    The Conflict & Society Research Priority Area (RPA) Officially Launched at the UvA

    Last week, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) celebrated the official launch of the Conflict & Society Research Priority Area (RPA) with an all-day event that brought together scholars from across disciplines to explore new perspectives on conflict and violence.

    The program opened with an introduction by principal investigators Dr. Abbey Steele and Dr. Alessandro Nai, setting the stage for a day of lively intellectual exchange. A thought-provoking conversation with Enilda Jiménez followed, focusing on resisting political violence in Colombia. Later, a panel of experts discussed aggressive rhetoric and its far-reaching consequences.

    The highlight of the day was a keynote lecture by Professor Leonie Huddy (Stony Brook University) on news sharing as expressive partisanship, which sparked rich discussion among participants.

    The launch concluded with informal drinks, giving attendees the chance to connect and engage in stimulating conversations. The event marked a successful beginning for the RPA, underscoring its mission to connect researchers, foster collaboration, and push the boundaries of conflict studies at the UvA.

    Thank you to everyone who attended!

    A conversation with Enilda Jiménez
    Expert panel on aggressive rhetoric and its far-reaching consequences.
    Keynote lecture by Professor Leonie Huddy