Welcome
to the
Creating
Safer Space
research network.

We strengthen civilian capacities for
nonviolent (self-)protection in
conflict-affected areas.

Creating Safer Space is an international research and impact collaboration, which aims to understand and support unarmed civilian protection and self-protection amidst violent conflict. We support research that explores how violence against civilians can be deterred or prevented by civilians without the use or threat of force.

Our aim is to strengthen civilian capacities for protection and to support local efforts to transform conflict nonviolently as a basis for lasting, sustainable peace with social justice. The network is funded by the UKRI AHRC Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Collective Programme (Network Plus).

13 May 2025

Podcasts on civilian protection in Papua

The Creating Safer Space project “Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua: Exploring Local...

15 April 2025

Leader of Welsh Government Visits Creating Safer Space Exhibition

The Creating Safer Space Exhibition was on show at the Temple of Peace and Health...

15 April 2025

New Policy Brief on Spontaneous UCP in Colombia, Myanmar and South Sudan

The Creating Safer Space project ‘Understanding Community-level Spontaneous Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP): A Comparative Study...

15 April 2025

New Article in Journal of Global Security Studies

The Creating Safer Space project ‘Exploring Community Perceptions and Coping Strategies on Violence in Rakhine...

15 April 2025

New Film on the Potential of Local Research Seedbeds in Colombia

The Creating Safer Space project ‘Community strategies for Unarmed Civilian Protection in South-West Colombia: local...

15 April 2025

New Policy Brief on Grassroots Protection and Peacebuilding Agents in Papua

The Creating Safer Space project ‘Civilian (Self-) Protection from Violent Conflict in Papua: Exploring Local...

15 April 2025

New Working Paper on UCP/A and Decolonization in South Sudan, Burundi and Colombia

A new Creating Safer Space Working Paper has been published, titled Community self-protection and Unarmed...

15 April 2025

New Working Paper on Protection Norms in Myanmar

A new Creating Safer Space Working Paper has been published, titled The Diffusion of Protection...

{ Herding Cattle, Kenya. By Davida3 }
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