NEWS Umeå University continues to strengthen its profile in security research, crisis readiness and peacebuilding. Since May 2015, Umeå University has a professor of peace and conflict studies and from autumn 2016, a Master’s Degree Programme in Crisis Management and Peacebuilding will be available.
“Umeå University is already a leading institution in peace and conflict studies, both nationally and internationally. The availability of a new Master’s Degree Programme in Crisis Management and Peacebuilding in English strengthens the university’s position further, says Anders Lidström, Head of the Department of Political Science and responsible for education and research in the subject.
Umeå University has offered education in peace and conflict studies since 1989. Up until now, it has been possible to take a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the subject. However, Master’s students have only been offered a degree in political science. From autumn 2016, peace and conflict studies will be offered as the main subject also at Master’s level.
“As we are all aware, the subject is of immediate interest and it really is the right time to strengthen the position of the subject field. A Master’s degree in this subject is also better suited in accordance with the content of the education and increases the opportunity to attract international students,” says Magnus Blomgren, director of studies at the Department of Political Science.
Umeå University’s Centre of Excellence in security research, crisis readiness and peacebuilding is a network consisting of both internal and external operators – for instance in the Department of Political Science, the Police Education, the Centre for Research and Development within the field of disaster medicine, the European CBRNE Center and the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI).
In order to create an even clearer and stronger research environment in the field, a new professorship was established last year. Since this May, Anna Jarstad is professor of peace and conflict studies, who conducts her research within the field of democratisation and peacebuilding after civil wars. She is pleased about the new opportunity of a degree at Master’s level.
“The next step is for peace and conflict studies to be made into a research field and field for doctoral studies at Umeå University,” says Anna Jarstad, professor of peace and conflict studies at Umeå University.
Magnus BlomgrenDirector of studies at the Department of Political Science at Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 90-786 61 71, +46 70-219 62 71
Email: magnus.blomgren@umu.se
Master's Degree Programme in Crisis Management and Peacebuilding
Photo: Wikimedia.
Editor: Anna Lawrence