20 YEARS CONFLICT RESEARCH GROUPConference 23 and 24 May 2022
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Conflict Research Group at Ghent University (Belgium) organizes an international conference that will take stock of where we are with the study of violent conflict. The conference is scheduled on 23-24 May, 2022, and will be held in Ghent.
During our conference, we want to go into dialogue with leading international researchers, policymakers and practitioners, and provide a platform for debate and exchange with the ambition to suggest new research agendas, strengthen research-policy dialogue and create more space for voices from the Global South.
Please note that registrations are closed for the conference. If you would like to attend our conference, please email us at: Carla.Kuehleis@UGent.be
Programme

9h00
Introduction
By Prof. Koen Vlassenroot, Director of the Conflict Research Group
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
9h30
Keynote
by Prof. Paul Richards
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
10h30
Coffee and Tea Break
11h00
Two parallel panel sessions
Mineral extraction and the politics of data
Chair: Godefroid Muzalia
With Kasper Hoffmann, Jeroen Cuvelier, Steven Van Bockstael, Thomas Muller, Lotte Hoex and Astrid Jamar
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
and
The cultural politics of conflict
Chair: Dr. Maarten Hendriks
With Benjamin Chemouni, Sam Kniknie, Kristof Titeca, Eva Willems, Arthur Owor and Florence Anek
Leslokaal 5.2, entrance 5, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
12h30
Lunch Break
Screening of ‘Street Life’,
a film of Alain Nepapa, produced by TD Jack Muhindo and CRG’s Maarten Hendriks
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
13h30
Parallel panel sessions
Understanding Jihadi (counter)organisation
Chair: Dr. Christoph Vogel
With Sky Mkuti, Tanguy Quidelleur, Hans de Marie Heungoup and Marte Beldé
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
and
Landscapes and the nature of conflict
Chair: Dr. Mary Ann Manahan
With Johanna Malm, Esther Marijnen, David Mwambari and Godefroid Muzalia
Leslokaal 5.2, entrance 5, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
15h00
Coffee and Tea Break
15h30
Roundtable on the State of the Art
Chair: Prof. Bert Suykens
With Prof. Christian Lund, Prof. Jolanda Demmers, Prof. Nandini Sundar
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula

9h00
Roundtable on Epistemologies and Methodologies
Chair: Prof. Maria Martin de Almagro Iniesta
With Prof. Adam Branch, Prof. Atreyee Sen and Prof. Aymar Nyenyezi Bisoka
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
10h30
Coffee and Tea Break
11h00
Two parallel panel sessions
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Chair: Dr. Tomas van Acker
With Josaphat Musamba Bussy, Caitlin Ryan, Wol Athuai, Krishna Kumar Saha, Jonathan Eli Libut and Naomi Pendle.
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
and
Networks and spaces of violence
Chair: Dr. Stéphanie Perazzone
With Sheikh Shams Morsalin, Siyum Adugna Mamo, Ali Aljasem, Christoph Vogel and Peer Schouten
Leslokaal 5.2, entrance 5, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
12h30
Lunch Break
Screening of ‘Street Life’,
a film of Alain Nepapa, produced by TD Jack Muhindo and CRG’s Maarten Hendriks
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
13h30
Roundtable on The Conflict – Peace Continuum and Policy Responses
Chair: Prof. Karen Büscher
With Dr. Devon Curtis, Dr. Nina Wilén, Ananeza Aban and Ornella Moderan
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
15h00
Coffee and Tea Break
15h30
Roundtable on the Future of Conflict Studies
Chair: Prof. Bruno De Cordier
With Dr. Yvan Guichaoua, Dr. Jason Stearns, Prof. Marie-Eve Desrosiers, Dr. Cyril Obi
Film hall, entrance 4, Paddenhoek 1, Campus Aula
Keynote speakers


To read
To see
New article: Swallowed up by the earth
The global economy’s relentless hunger for coltan was always dangerous for Rubaya. The town was – and still is – a mining-governancevoid, before and after M23’s takeover.
Podcast: Cartooning and Democracy in Times of Crisis: Lessons from Uganda, Belgium, and Beyond
This panel discussion explores how political cartooning critically engages with and intervenes in our political and democratic life, particularly in relation to national and global crises.
REFRACT: Resilience & Fragility in Action
This project critically examines the evolving dynamics of fragility and resilience amid escalating crises
New Publication: Learning through struggle and solidarity.
Takeaways from the Movement for Alternatives and Solidarity in Southeast Asia (MASSA).
Ananeza (Angging) Aban in conversation with Hannah Bickel
New Publication: Capturing perspectives in Jaffna following Cyclone Ditwah
Cyclone Ditwah has tested the NPP’s crisis governance even as the party retains considerable support in Jaffna.
New Publication: Pourquoi la paix ne vient pas en RDC ?
Lignes rouges vitales, négociations bloquées et voies de sortie radicales



















