The Centre for the Study of Violence (CSOV) is a multidisciplinary community of scholars committed to advancing the understanding of violence from a range of perspectives.

Our scope is global, with strengths in studies of the Middle East, North America, Europe and Australia. Disciplinary approaches include social work, law, sociology, criminology, literature, creative writing and history.

Our researchers focus on the origins, causes, and experience of violence at the present time and throughout history. We seek to understand the roots of contemporary violence by examining the connections between the past and the present. We explore the range of cultural values and perceptions surrounding patterns of structural and individual acts of violence.

Topics include concepts of violence, political and cultural violence, colonial violence, sexual assault, abuse, homicide and more.


Our researchers

Centre members are based in the College of Human and Social Future's Schools of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Science; Law and Justice; and Education. Our expertise ranges from ancient times to the present and across the globe. We have strong interests in the study of history, trauma, inter-personal violence, criminology and law.

As well as conducting high quality research, members teach undergraduate courses in the history of violence, the history of crime, criminology, social work, and sociology. These courses can lead towards a minor in Violence Studies. In addition, we supervise Masters and PhD candidates in our respective fields.

Conferences and events

We have an annual program of lectures, seminars, visiting fellows, and conferences on aspects of the study of violence.  For up-to-date information, see our quarterly reports and our Bluesky account, @studyofviolence. If you are interested in presenting your work, contact the Director.