ACLED Conflict Crash Course

This ‘crash course in conflict research’ was organized by ACLED for all researchers and management staff to provide an overview of conflict data, what factors can influence the occurrence intensity, and type of conflict, research design as it relates to conflict, the ACLED methodology, and more – all in the vein of improving internal data literacy.

The sessions are led by 

• Prof. Clionadh Raleigh, our President & CEO, who is also Professor of Political Violence and Geography at the University of Sussex in the UK. 

• Dr. Roudabeh Kishi, ACLED's former Director of Research & Innovation 

• Dr. Caitriona Dowd, Assistant Professor in Security Studies at the Dublin City University in Ireland

  • in addition to her academic experience, she has also worked in the humanitarian field as well as in a research think tank — though most noteworthy perhaps is the seminal role she played in the early days of ACLED, helping to make ACLED the organization it is today!

Please note: In order to official enrol into the conflict crash course and take the quizzes please reach out to the training coordinator. 

Module 1:

1. Required readings, to be done before watching video:

• • • Raleigh, Clionadh and Roudabeh Kishi. 2019. “Comparing Conflict Data: Similarities and Differences Across Datasets.” Available here.

• • • Raleigh, Clionadh, Roudabeh Kishi, and Danielle Villa. 2021. “Who and What Counts in Conflict Research?”. Available here.

2. Next, watch the instructional video: 

Module 2:

1. Required readings, to be done before watching video:

• Nsaibia, Héni and Jules Duhamel. 2021. “Sahel 2021: Communal Wars, Broken Ceasefires, and Shifting Frontlines.” Available here.

• Stall, Hampton, Roudabeh Kishi, and Clionadh Raleigh. 2020. “Standing By: Right-Wing Militia Groups and the US Election.” Available here.

• Kishi, Roudabeh, Melissa Pavlik, Rico La Vina, and Marian Constantino. 2018. “Duterte’s War: Drug-Related Violence in The Philippines.” Available here.

• ACLED team. 2020. COVID-19 Disorder Tracker infographics

  • “A New Wave of Unrest in Lebanon.” Available here.

  • “Conflict Escalation in Yemen.” Available here.

  • “United States of America.” Available here.   

  • “PKK and Turkey.” Available here.

  • “Attacks on Civilians in Colombia.” Available here.

  • “Demonstrations Interrupted.” Available here.

  • “India.” Available here.

2. Next, watch the instructional video: