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We highlight how efforts to collect systematic data on conflict have helped foster progress in peace and conflict research. The Journal of Peace Research has played a key role in these developments, and has become a leading outlet for the new wave of disaggregated conflict data. We survey progress in the development of conflict data and how this interacts with theory development and progress in research, drawing specifically on examples from the move towards a greater focus on disaggregation and agency in conflict research. We focus on disaggregation in three specific dimensions, namely the resolution of conflict data, agency in conflict data, and the specific strategies used in conflict, and we also discuss new efforts to study conflict processes beyond the use of violence. We look ahead to new challenges in conflict research and how data developments and the emergence of 'big data' push us to think harder about types of conflict, agency, and the 'right' level of aggregation for querying data and evaluating specific theories. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright holder.]

We highlight how efforts to collect systematic data on conflict have helped foster progress in peace and conflict research. The Journal of Peace Research has played a key role in these developments, and has become a leading outlet for the new wave of disaggregated conflict data. We survey progress in the development of conflict data and how this interacts with theory development and progress in research, drawing specifically on examples from the move towards a greater focus on disaggregation and agency in conflict research. We focus on disaggregation in three specific dimensions, namely the resolution of conflict data, agency in conflict data, and the specific strategies used in conflict, and we also discuss new efforts to study conflict processes beyond the use of violence. We look ahead to new challenges in conflict research and how data developments and the emergence of 'big data' push us to think harder about types of conflict, agency, and the 'right' level of aggregation for querying data and evaluating specific theories.

A review essay on books by (1) John Paul Lederach, Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies (Washington, DC: USIP, 1997); (2) Ho-Won Jeong (Ed), Conflict Resolution Dynamics, Process and Structure (Aldershot & Brookfield: Ashgate, 1999); (3) Hakan Wiberg & Christian P. Scherrer (Eds), Ethnicity and Intra-State Conflict: Types, Causes and Peace Strategies (Aldershot & Brookfield: Ashgate, 1999); & (4) Johan Galtung & Carl G. Jacobsen, Searching for Peace: The Road to TRANSCEND (London: Pluto, 2000). These books demonstrate the current status of peace & conflict studies. Differences are pointed out between the philosophically oriented Nordic school of peace research & the empirically based North American approach. Lederach, a leader of the North American School, emphasizes inclusive peace-building involving conflict analysis at all levels, ideally before violent conflict erupts. However, he fails to sufficiently explore some difficult aspects of conflict resolution, such as how grass roots endeavors can be incorporated into wider peacemaking efforts. The volume edited by Jeong offers additional insights into the North American school's thinking & attempts to manage conflict by embracing diversity. The book edited by Wiberg & Scherrer provides an excellent overview of theoretical perspectives within the Nordic school, in spite of a flat prose style & limited case studies. The easy-to-read text edited by Galtung & Jacobsen, which promotes the new philosophical approach to peacemaking known as TRANSCEND, will interest lay people but is of limited relevance to more advanced academicians. J. Lindroth

Advances in science and technology, including information technology (IT), play a crucial role in the context of peace and security. However, research on the intersection of peace and conflict research as well as computer science is not well established yet. This article highlights the need for further work in the area of research "IT peace research", which includes both empirical research on the role of IT in peace and security, as well as technical research to design technologies and applications. Based on the elaboration of the disciplines, central challenges, such as insecurity, actors, attribution and laws, are outlined.