The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is an independent, international and interdisciplinary research institute, founded in 1959. Its purpose is to conduct research on the conditions for peaceful relations between states, groups and people. PRIO’s research targets scholars, policy-makers, practitioners and the general public. The institute cultivates the highest standards of academic excellence, and is a leader in shaping the global peace research agenda. PRIO has an international research staff of approximately 120 members in full and part-time positions, plus 15 in administrative and support functions. The working language at the institute is English. Researchers at PRIO identify new trends in global conflict, formulate and document new understandings of and responses to armed conflict. We seek to understand how people are impacted by and cope with armed conflict, and we study the normative foundations of peace and violence. Key questions on PRIO's research agenda are why wars break out, how they are sustained, and what it takes to build durable peace. PRIO contributes to theoretical and methodological development both within specific academic disciplines, and through cross-fertilization between disciplines. PRIO also contributes to the development of a new generation of scholars through our Research School in Peace and Conflict (PhD level). PRIO engages in the promotion of peace through conflict resolution, dialogue and reconciliation, public information and policymaking activities. Our research is primarily disseminated through academic publications, but also through reports and working papers, and via contributions to the media.