“Peace Studies” to be restructured and expanded

For 20 years, the university continuing education program on Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation (“Peace Studies”) has attracted students from all over the world. In recent months, the program has been restructured and aims to become a regular MA study program at the University of Innsbruck.

The university continuing education program Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation (“Peace Studies”) introduces students to the basics of peace and conflict research, security studies and development cooperation and offers in-depth study of selected aspects and research findings. It combines the transfer of theoretical knowledge with practical training. The program was initially founded in 2001 as a cooperation between the State of Tyrol and the University of Innsbruck and was awarded the second UNESCO Chair in Austria in 2008. Subsequently, a separate Unit was established at the university in 2016, and it became part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities I in 2019. “Over the years, the program has developed successfully and is internationally renowned. This is demonstrated not least by the award of the UNESCO Chair and the broad international network of cooperation partners,” emphasizes Rector Tilmann Märk. “This success story is now to be consolidated by the introduction of a regular course of study. A year ago, criticism was formulated about the structure and content of the program as well as the management. A survey of all graduates and students led to some criticism and suggestions of potential conflict resolution measures that have been incorporated into the restructuring process.”

Criticism taken seriously

In September of last year, internal criticism and an internal conflict were first brought to the attention of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities I, Dirk Rupnow. He immediately initiated a mediation process, the usual route for internal conflicts. Since criticism was later also voiced by students and alumni, they were contacted as well: To this end, all alumni and active students were asked for feedback on the program or called upon to address relevant criticism and, if necessary, specific personal problematic experiences. “We invited a total of 465 people to provide feedback or criticism on the program, combined with a statement that all statements would of course be treated confidentially, that there was also the possibility of anonymous criticism, and that they could also turn to the working group for equal treatment issues or the works council. In addition, psychological support was offered. About 15 percent of the participants responded to this, mostly very positively,” says Anna Buchheim, Vice Rector for Human Resources. A few responses were critical – especially with regard to the organization and content of the university program. Individual discussions were held with these people. In the course of these discussions, specific allegations were made against the former program director, although these could subsequently only be partially substantiated. In particular, there was no evidence for the sexual harassment reported in the media. Some structural and substantive issues were already known in part and were confirmed by the interviews.

Acted quickly and efficiently

“We took immediate action and vigorously addressed the restructuring measures in this area, some of which had been planned anyway. We have taken the criticism very seriously and taken it into account in the reorganization of the work area and the restructuring of the study program,” says the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities I, Dirk Rupnow. The new approach brings increased quality assurance measures, such as a multi-stage, structured admission procedure for students, a four-eye principle in management, a focus on crisis intervention as part of teaching, and external supervision. Andreas Oberprantacher was also appointed as the new academic director for the program. Rina Alluri took over as the Head of the Unit of Peace Studies.

Science in the foreground

The field of peace and conflict studies is an academic research and teaching area anchored internationally at various renowned universities. It focuses, on the one hand, on the scientific interest in understanding dynamics of organized violence (such as wars) and processes of peaceful conflict transformation, and, on the other hand, on multilateral efforts to promote a diverse and sustainable “Culture of Peace” in the spirit of the UNESCO Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace (1992) and the UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace (1999). Peace and conflict research has thus deliberately established and developed at the intersection of diverse academic disciplines (international relations, philosophy, history, sociology, political science, economics, cultural studies, law, religious studies, etc.) and in the wake of transnational peace movements. As a form of socially engaged science, it combines theoretical reflection and practical exercise insofar as it is principally concerned with a multidimensional understanding of conflictual relationships and, at the same time, is intended to prepare people for international missions, which can be challenging both intellectually and personally. This approach is in line with the main objectives of the UNESCO Chairs and is one of the reasons why one was awarded to the University of Innsbruck for Peace Studies. 

„With this in mind, we have now set the course for transforming it into a regular master's program, adapting the overall framework to current needs and taking into account feedback from previous participants,” explains the new academic director, Andreas Oberprantacher.