TRANSFORMING PEACEBUILDING THROUGH WORLD-LEADING RESEARCH
Queen’s University Belfast has established itself as a global hub for pioneering research in transitional justice, a critical field focused on addressing the legacies of conflict and fostering reconciliation. Drawing on its unique position in Northern Ireland—a region that has undergone its own challenging peace process—Queen’s combines academic excellence with real-world impact. Through interdisciplinary research led by experts like Professor Kieran McEvoy, the university develops innovative frameworks for truth recovery, victim-centred justice, apologies & acknowledgement, and reintegration strategies, influencing peacebuilding efforts worldwide.
Research Challenge
TACKLING THE COMPLEXITIES OF POST-CONFLICT JUSTICE
Post-conflict societies face immense challenges in balancing accountability, reconciliation, and rebuilding. The legacies of violence and division require thoughtful, context-sensitive approaches that address:
- The rights and needs of victims.
- The reintegration of former combatants.
- Mechanisms to achieve justice while fostering reconciliation.
Northern Ireland’s peace process provides a unique context for Queen’s research, serving as both a case study and a testing ground for new ideas. The university’s research seeks to answer pressing questions about how societies can navigate these challenges while ensuring sustainable peace.
Our Approach
PIONEERING SOLUTIONS FOR POST-CONFLICT SOCIETIES
Queen’s interdisciplinary approach to transitional justice unites experts in law, criminology, politics, psychology and human rights to tackle complex challenges. The university’s research focuses on:
1. Truth Recovery and Reconciliation
Developing innovative frameworks to uncover the truth about past violence while fostering societal healing. Research explores mechanisms like truth commissions, ‘bottom-up truth recovery’, reparations and participatory justice systems that emphasize inclusivity and fairness.
2. Victim-Centred Approaches
Placing survivors at the heart of justice initiatives, Queen’s research ensures their voices are heard and their needs prioritized. By advocating for reparations and restorative justice, the university aims to restore dignity and agency to victims.
3. The Role of Former Combatants
Queen’s is a global leader in studying the reintegration of former combatants. Research demonstrates how these individuals can transition into roles as peacebuilders, contributing to reconciliation and community rebuilding. We also focus on how armed groups can take responsibility for past harms through information recovery, apologies and acknowledgement.
4. Comparative Global Insights
Drawing lessons from conflict-affected regions like Colombia, South Africa, and the Middle East, Queen’s applies its findings to diverse global contexts. This comparative perspective enriches its research and ensures its applicability across cultures and regions.
5. Educating Future Leaders
Through its Human Rights Centre, Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice , Queen’s nurtures the next generation of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in transitional justice. Training programs equip students with the skills and knowledge to lead peacebuilding efforts worldwide.
“At Queen’s University Belfast, we see transitional justice not only as an academic pursuit but as a vital tool for shaping fairer, more peaceful societies. Our work is grounded in real-world impact, supporting communities as they seek to achieve justice, establish the truth, address past harms, rebuild and reconcile.”
- –Professor Kieran McEvoy, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast
What impact did it make?
TRANSFORMING LIVES AND POLICY ACROSS THE GLOBE
1. Shaping Policy Frameworks
Queen’s research has directly influenced transitional justice policies at the United Nations and in multiple countries, including:
- Colombia: Insights on ex-combatant reintegration, reparations and apologies have informed post-conflict policies including efforts to get FARC to address past harms.
- Cambodia : Frameworks developed at Queen’s contributed to ongoing efforts to secure protections for human rights lawyers in Cambodia.
- Northern Ireland: Queen’s played a pivotal role in shaping initiatives for accountability, truth recovery and reconciliation, offering a model for divided societies.
2. Promoting Victims’ Rights
Queen’s research has advanced the rights of victims globally, advocating for reparations and victim-centred justice processes. This work has been adopted by governments, NGOs, and international organizations working in post-conflict settings.
3. Empowering Communities
By highlighting the role of marginalized groups—such as former prisoners and combatants—Queen’s has demonstrated how inclusive approaches to peacebuilding can drive reconciliation. These insights are now embedded in peace processes around the world.
4. Enhancing Public Discourse
Queen’s researchers are highly sought-after advisors to governments and organizations. Their work has been cited in policy documents, NGO reports, and academic literature, shaping international discourse on transitional justice and reconciliation.
Our impact
Impact related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Queen’s University’s commitment to nurturing a culture of sustainability and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research and education.
