The Changing Character of War Centre (CCW) is an Interdisciplinary research centre for the study of change in armed conflict. We are part of the University of Oxford, based at Pembroke College and the Department of Politics and International Relations. In addition to research projects, we offer bespoke policy advice.

CCW is generously funded by the Ax:Son Johnson Foundation (Sweden). Specific projects are funded by grants received from the UK Government and the US Government.

CCW has been examining the developments of armed conflict and its consequences since 2003. From the outset the intention was to bring together scholars from several disciplines, especially History, Politics, International Relations, Law, and Philosophy. CCW is now based in the naturally multi-disciplinary environment of Pembroke College and has built further links with Anthropology, Psychology and Economics, as well as a number of related Oxford centres of excellence such as the Centre for International Studies, Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict, Oxford Internet Institute and Blavatnik School of Government. New links have been created with the sciences, including computer science, mathematics, and engineering, which reflects the significance of new technologies in the conduct of armed conflict today. We examine change, through the analysis of practice, conceptual development, and the theoretical foundations.

CCW has built connections with many institutions around the world who conduct research into all aspects of war and its effects. We further the quality of our research, and our impact, by inviting a selection of academics and qualified practitioners as visiting research fellows. Our non-resident fellows engage in joint research with us in specific projects. We are partnered with individuals and institutions all over the world, including the Netherlands Defence Academy, SAIS at Johns Hopkins, the NATO Defence College, the Norwegian National Defence University and Staff College, Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo and CMI Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation. CCW also contributes to the life of the College and the University by running events that are open to all faculty members and students, by the supervision of several DPhils, the Foreign Service Programme, and contributions to masters’ and undergraduate teaching.

The aspiration of our research is to produce work of the highest quality and greatest rigour, addressing the most significant themes and challenges produced by war, and analysing the dynamics of change. The Centre is focussed and coheres around the idea of war, that is armed conflict, while engaging with other disciplines and fields to improve the quality and depth of understanding.