EVENT: Innovation in social sciences research
Learn about innovation in the social sciences and its role in supporting socially beneficial outcomes. [22 April 2026]
Peaceful, Secure and Empowered Societies
About Us
The world is experiencing the highest levels of violence and insecurity since the end of World War II. Inter- and intra-state armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, economic collapse and inequalities, climate change and natural disasters, mass displacement, organised crime, infectious diseases, unprecedented technological advancement, and so-called ‘hybrid threats’ such as disinformation and cyber attacks have brought the world to a perceived state of ‘permacrisis.’ This concept denotes a prolonged period of instability and insecurity, driven by multiple, interconnected, and intractable challenges, amidst a climate of distrust in the societal, political, and legal mechanisms devised to tackle them.
PSES is an interdisciplinary research theme designed to understand and respond to today’s multidimensional challenges to peace, security, wellbeing, and resilience. Embracing disciplinary, theoretical, and methodological pluralism, we adopt a constructive approach to break the narratives of crisis surrounding our societies. Our IRT’s guiding question is: How can our research contribute to building peaceful, secure, and empowered societies at grassroots, local, national, and international levels, while allowing change to be understood as a “force for good” (UKRI)?
Latest Events
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07 Apr
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11 Dec
EVENT | Political Lessons from Greece: A Case of Unlikely Democratic Resilience
This symposium will explore how Greek democracy survived, and was reshaped by, more than a decade of profound economic, social, and political strain. Key Speaker: George A. Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece (2009–2011). -
03 Oct
RECAP | Trusts and Foundations Workshop
On 11 November (13:00-15:00, ARC Studio 2), the ‘Peaceful, Secure, and Empowered Societies’ Interdisciplinary Research Theme (IRT) organised a workshop focused on trust and foundation grants. -
03 Oct
RECAP | Engaging Armed Groups
On 1 October, we welcomed to Glasgow Dr Florian Weigand, Co-Director of the Geneva-based Centre on Armed Groups and Research Associate at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Danish Institute for International Studies.
Our Theme Objectives
PSES will facilitate the development of interdisciplinary research ideas, skills and capacities, collaboration, and funding applications, supporting in particular PGRs and early career researchers. We will also promote external engagement, innovation, and entrepreneurship for generating broader societal benefits. Overall, our aim is to create a shared culture and a thriving College community, allowing us to support and learn from each other, and to inspire as well as empower researchers to push for positive change in society.
- Develop a research community & culture
- Support for research funding applications
- Skills development & training
- External engagement & impact