Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026

Venue: Queen Mary University of London

Format: A one-day event with 20-25 participants

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) UK Research Network, a community of researchers on the WPS agenda and related issues of gender and conflict, is organising its first workshop. We invite submissions from researchers of all career stages and of any institutional affiliation (or none) based in the United Kingdom.

Network Vision: The network aims to convene workshops, share research findings, and promote informed understanding of WPS among policy makers, civil society, and the general public. We are committed to fostering a critical space for the study of WPS where we can ask searching questions, make explicit our frameworks and methods, and deepen collaboration and understanding among UK-based researchers.

Objectives: The primary objective of this initial one-day workshop is to facilitate engagement among researchers, with an eye towards future collaborative activities and opportunities. The workshop will bring together researchers working on WPS to present their current work and decide next steps for the network.

Participation & Eligibility: We invite submissions from those based across the UK who conduct research in universities, think tanks, civil society organisations or government, as well as independently. Presentations should address gender and conflict issues related to the WPS agenda. We expect to be able to offer some support for travel and accommodation, with priority given to doctoral and early career researchers. Due to cost and logistical considerations, attendance is open exclusively to UK-based researchers.

Submission Guidelines: Interested researchers should submit their abstract (max. 200 words) and a brief bio to the organisers by Monday 2 March 2026. Details on the venue and support will be communicated with the draft programme by the end of March.

Co-Convenors: Toni Haastrup (Manchester – toni.haastrup@manchester.ac.uk), Paul Kirby (Queen Mary – p.kirby@qmul.ac.uk) and Zeynep Kaya (Sheffield – z.kaya@sheffield.ac.uk)