RECAP | Trusts and Foundations Workshop
On 11 November 2025, the ‘Peaceful, Secure, and Empowered Societies’ Interdisciplinary Research Theme (IRT) organised a workshop focused on trust and foundation grants.
Peaceful, Secure & 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 Updates
-
11 Nov
-
03 Oct
RECAP | Engaging Armed Groups Keynote Talk
On 1 October 2025, the ‘Peaceful, Secure, and Empowered Societies’ Interdisciplinary Research Theme (IRT) welcomed to Glasgow Dr Florian Weigand, who delivered a keynote talk on “Engaging Armed Groups.”
Theme Leads
Dr Adrian Florea
Senior Lecturer in the School of Social and Political Sciences. Adrian’s work focuses on civil war, de facto states, international security, and research methods. Adrian has regional expertise in the Soviet successor states of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and is currently Research Director in Central and East European Studies.
Prof Sinéad Gormally
Professor of Community Development and Youth and Deputy Head of School of Education for Strategy and Planning. Sinéad’s research falls into two categories. The first focuses on social justice and equality, analysing how youth and community practitioners can create positive social change. The second area focusses on the impact of violence and conflict on individuals and communities and how grassroots communities can help facilitate everyday peace.
Prof Georgios Karyotis
Professor of Security Politics in the School of Social and Political Sciences. Georgios has an international reputation in securitisation theory, migration studies, protest/voting behaviour, public attitudes and crisis management. His research has a distinct and recognisable flavour and is characterised by interdisciplinarity, methodological rigour and emancipatory objectives.
Dr Asli Ozcelik Olcay
Senior Lecturer in the School of Law. Asli’s research relates to international law with a focus on armed conflicts, peacemaking, and humanitarianism. Most recently, she was part of an AHRC-funded project on protracted armed conflicts and led an ESRC-funded project on youth and peace. At Glasgow, she also co-directs a multidisciplinary Master’s programme on global security, peace, and development.
More Information
Our Theme Objectives
Develop a research community & culture - A key objective of our IRT is to develop a research community and culture through fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging creativity.
Support for research funding applications - Our IRT will provide a platform for identifying relevant funding opportunities and offering guidance on grant proposal writing.
Skills development & training - PSES will organise a series of activities aimed at equipping UofG colleagues at all career stages with the skills and tools needed to conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
External engagement & impact - A key objective of our IRT is to maximise engagement and impact, including through disseminating research findings, building relationships with stakeholders, engaging with government agencies and policymakers, and exploring collaboration opportunities with the industry.