New Field Study Opportunity in Northern Ireland

This coming Fall, students in the M.A. or Ph.D. programs in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS will have the opportunity to go to Northern Ireland for a week-long intensive field study trip focusing on peacemaking, where they will learn about conflict and reconciliation in the aftermath of the 30-year violent struggle known as the Troubles.

The goal of this field study experience in Belfast and other locations in Northern Ireland is to be immersed in an environment where people are actively building peace and trying to reconcile past violence with a peaceful future. Along with the group of students from Arcadia, and under the leadership of IPCR Program Director Amy Cox, AGS students will meet with academics, practitioners, peacemakers, police officers, members of the Apprentice Boys, artists, and advocates to explore all aspects of the 30-year Northern Ireland conflict. They will investigate and learn from these experts on the ground about root causes, on-going community violence, policy and security issues, parades, paramilitaries, crime and corruption, as well as reconciliation, victim reparations, restorative justice, and the creation of healing and peaceful spaces through art, theater, and more. Through this experience in Northern Ireland, students will get to learn about what it takes to become a thoughtful, engaged and dedicated peacemaker.

This optional field experience will take place in late October - specific dates are to be determined. It is organized by AGS's partner program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) at Arcadia University, and is open - with a selection process - to AGS International Relations and Diplomacy Master's and Ph.D. students in their first or second year.

For further information about this field study, please contact our academic coordinator Ashley Stepanek at academics@ags.edu.