From June 25 to 27, 2025, the international workshop "Co-Laborating for Change?" took place at betahaus Hamburg, hosted by IFSH as part of the exciting multi-year research program Doing Peace! 35 researchers from ten countries came together for three days of lively discussions about the potentials and limits of participatory and practice-driven research in peace and security.
Amid the challenges of a global polycrisis, the workshop highlighted how innovative collaborative methods such as mapping workshops, real-world labs, and participatory action research are reshaping the way peace and security are understood and put into practice. The conversations critically reflected power relations as well as ethical questions, and stressed the vital importance of working with, not just about, communities affected by conflict.
Key topics ranged from exploring the shifting timelines and future possibilities of crises to examining the spatial aspects of conflict and peace, as well as the emerging digital technologies and practices that are redefining security.
One of the event’s highlights was the Gallery Walk, where IFSH researchers showcased participatory projects from the Doing Peace! initiative. Through interactive exhibits, participants connected and shared ideas about how peace research can be both critical and deeply engaged.