TAPRI research profile

TAPRI research is based on the Nordic, as well as on the broader European tradition of peace research. The overarching goal is to study the root causes of wars and conflicts, the processes of their emergence and development, as well as the conditions for conflict resolution and sustainable peace. TAPRI also undertakes the responsibility to further develop peace and conflict research in Finland. Its activities have from the beginning been multi-disciplinary and international, and this is the case today more than ever before.

TAPRI research domains deal with problems caused by structural violence both within and between states, as well as with conflict management and resolution, peace and reconciliation processes, and the social and political challenges of post-conflict situations.

TAPRI research themes are at least partly linked with specific geographic areas. The research on the Arctic region provides a particular perspective on global environmental politics and development, as well as on related conflicts. The institute’s European studies touches upon various themes, such as global governance, ethnic and national conflicts, border formation, and human mobility.  A considerable part of the research on Europe centers on the Balkans and Russia, as well as the neighboring Eastern European and Central Asian states. Topics such as conflict management and resolution, prevention, reconciliation and mediation are particularly relevant in this context. TAPRI’s research activities on the Mediterranean and Euro-Mediterranean relations focus on international politics in the region, on their cultural and socio-economic dimensions, as well as internal development, domestic social movements, the youth, and the movement of people.

The decrease of inter-state conflicts and the increase of internal violence in recent decades have given rise to new themes of peace research. One of the most important contributions of TAPRI to the development of these new themes has to do with the role of gender relations and youth in conflict management and resolution. Much emphasis has been put on gender-based violence and the UN Resolution 1325 in this connection. One of the latest innovations is visual peace research, which approaches the traditional peace research agenda from the point of view of visual images and art. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the different dimensions of conflicts with the help of new kinds of representations and narratives.

In addition to continuing the existing traditions and further developing new research themes and approaches , TAPRI participates in the qualitative development of peace and conflict research regarding both theory and methods.

TAPRI’s research activities are largely comprised of individual research projects, which vary in their extent and duration.

On-going research projects

- TAPRI Mediterranean Studies Project

- Towards Post-Western Europe: Challenges from Southeastern Margin

- Wider Europe Initiative (WEI) Security Cluster research 

- Proactive Conflict Management at Post-Soviet Deep Borders