Department of Development Studies, University of Vienna
The Department was founded in 2010 (Project International Development was formed in 2002) as a transdisciplinary research platform, with links to the Faculty of History, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences. Its aim in research and teaching is to challenge classical conventions and foster new and critical approaches to development theory, methodology, and policy. The team at the Department of Development Studies (DDS) consists of 9 academic staff members – among them 2 professors – and 58 lecturers with various disciplinary and professional backgrounds. This diversity is an important pillar in transdisciplinary teaching and research that is further strengthened by research projects and their focus on transdisciplinarity (e.g. KNOTS – Fostering multi-lateral knowledge networks of transdisciplinary studies to tackle global challenges, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU and the APPEAR project Rooting Development in the Palestinian Context, funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation). DDS offers an MA (900 students) and PhD program (40 students). Visit the DDS website to learn more.
Center for Development Studies, Birzeit University
The Center for Development Studies (CDS) was constituted as a university centre in 2007, following a decade as the university-affiliated Development Studies programme. It provides a central point for the study of development generally and in Palestine specifically. As a research-oriented institution its work plays a significant role in the activities of a variety of groups both locally and internationally, including senior scholars, and policy- makers as well as local communities and groups. Over the years, CDS has built an extensive network of relations with grassroots organizations, the non-governmental sector, international organizations and the government, and makes extensive use of its resources and access to Palestinian communities and groups within and outside of Palestine. Visit the CDS website to learn more.
Mousawat Organization, Beirut
Mousawat is a rights based organisation that aims at improving the quality of life for marginalized communities (especially people with disabilities, young refugees and displaced people) in Lebanon. Established in 2008, Mousawat runs several rehabilitation, protection and disability programs in Palestinian and Syrian camps and gatherings throughout Lebanon. The organization focuses on economic empowerment, training and capacity building and hosts a social science research unit that investigates political, social and economic developments in the Palestinian camps since 2018. Learn more.
Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education (ZFF), Alps-Adriatic University
The Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education was founded in 2005. It is the only peace institute at a public Austrian university. The two special characteristics of the centre’s work are the focus on the cultural dimension of peace research and strengthening the links between peace research and peace education. Among its research foci are questions of political and epistemic violence, human rights, post-migrant societies and interactive conflict transformation.
ZFF offers the elective programme “Peace Research and Peace Education” which can be attended by BA, MA and PhD students. Visit the ZFF website to learn more.
The Syrian Center for Policy Research (SCPR)
The Syrian Center for Policy Research (SCPR) is an independent, non-governmental, and non-profit research center, working to bridge the gap between research and policymaking process.
Since 2011, the center has worked on evidence-based policy dialogue to diagnose the conflict roots and dynamics in addition to providing policy alternatives that promote people’s priorities in justice, peace, and sustainable and human-centered development.