In a world first, Monash University and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) have jointly agreed to establish a Chair in Research focusing on the development of a new academic discipline “Peace Economics."

 

An international search is currently underway to find the first IEP Research Chair in Peace Economics who will play a leading and coordinating role to help drive the national and international agenda and increase understanding of the inter-relationships between business, peace and economics.  

 

The Chair will be multi-disciplinary in its approach to research and explore analytical concepts of peace and frameworks for thinking about peace.

 

Professor Rae Frances, Dean of the Faculty of Arts said the position would fill an urgent need for research to uncover the social structures and social attitudes that are at the core of peaceful societies in the world today.

 

“In 2011 the world is at a crossroads.  We face conflict in a number of spheres – civil wars, political uprisings, border conflicts and terrorist actions," Professor Frances said.

 

IEP Founder and philanthropist Steve Killelea described the position as an important step in enhancing the world’s understanding of what interventions will help society become more peaceful.

 

“Peace is an elusive ideal wanted by all and with significant economic gains associated with it. But how can we create peace if we don’t understand it? The world’s first Chair in Peace Economics, partly funded by IEP, is a breakthrough towards a better future.”

 

Professor Stephen King, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University, said the new research position would give people around the world – particularly in developing countries – an important insight into the role that economics can play in building a peaceful society.

 

“Monash University seeks to improve the human condition by advancing knowledge and fostering creativity. Peace is central to optimising human growth; therefore we must better understand the structure, causes, challenges and value of peace. The successful candidate will be a stellar leader and researcher, focusing on the relationship between economics and peace,” Professor King said.

 

The Chair, established within both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University, will be able to draw on the expertise in Monash’s affiliated research institutes and centres and the University’s cross-disciplinary and cross-faculty research networks.  There will be opportunities to collaborate together, along with other academics and researchers at Monash’s international campuses in Malaysia, India, Prato and in South Africa.

 

The successful candidate will be an international-level researcher,  educator and  communicator, with a strong track record of research and teaching in peace economics. Specifically, the Chair will be an acknowledged expert in some or all of the fields of: econometrics and development economics, peace and conflict studies.