The Handbook of Research on Promoting Peace Through Practice, Academia, and the Arts (published September 2018) includes a chapter written by War Prevention Initiative team members David Prater and Patrick Hiller. It is titled Recognizing the Science of Peace to Build Positive Peace. Included in our chapter is original research and commentary highlighting the importance of often-overlooked theories and guiding principles from the academic field of peace and conflict research. We introduce readers to peace science, the discipline examining the causes of war and conditions for peace, and how it can help bridge the gap between peace movement moralism and pragmatism.
Inside the chapter, we discuss the research-practice communication gap as a strong impediment to making peace science relevant and useful. Communication barriers, the requirements of academic publishing, and the lack of public relevance for academia are also examined. Examples of often under-recognized peace research contributions are presented within the framework of the Global Peace System. In doing so, the potential and actual relevance of those research contributions to real-world peace and justice issues is emphasized. We argue for the necessity of peace researchers making conscious efforts to contribute to peacebuilding practices, public discourse and attempt to reach audiences beyond the academic community.
Citation:
Prater, D. E., & Hiller, P. T. (2018). Recognizing the Science of Peace to Build Positive Peace. In M. W. Lutfy & C. Toffolo (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Promoting Peace Through Practice, Academia, and the Arts (pp. 19–42). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
