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Focusing on urban spaces becomes increasingly important for the efficiency of humanitarian actions, but presents new challenges as humanitarian and development traditions are usually focused on 'open spaces' and rural environments. In urban conflicts, all lines are blurred and programming will need to take that into account. Conflicts particularly have an impact on the way people produce, understand and inhabit spaces and places. Rebuilding some social links and establishing communities in locations will become one of the key elements in conflict transformation and humanitarian programmes. Through action research methods, issues related to urban settings and specificities of humanitarian projects can be investigated.
The course runs from September to January each year.
It is developed over 8 weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits.
This includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments.
Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time.
Designed and delivered jointly by the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) of Oxford Brookes University and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding courses give you an unique access to resources, experts and support
from both institutions.
For those following the credit-rated route, credit from this module can be counted towards
the PGCert/MA Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding after completion.
Course content
Course content
The course includes 6 key sessions:
The urban social fabric and its relevance in a humanitarian crisis
Understanding urban conflict and violence
Conflict, shelter and home in the city
Peacebuilding in the urban setting
Forced migrants in the city
Recovery in the city
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Monitor comprehensively urban environment sensitivity throughout the project cycle management
Demonstrate depth and systematic understanding of urban conflict and large range of concepts and approaches to vulnerabilities in urban environments
Assess critically and create innovative tools and techniques to plan humanitarian and peacebuilding actions in urban settings
Develop action research tools to assess physical, social, economic, political, cultural and symbolic dimensions of programming in urban conflicts.
Why is this course unique?
Why is this course unique?
The module is taught by expert practitioners and researchers working on culture sensitivity in conflict and post-conflict settings
You will have an opportunity to interact and learn with peers and expert facilitators from across the world.
Approaches to teaching and learning are designed to support those studying alongside full- or part-time work and other commitments
The course is offered for credit or on a non-credit basis. The non-credit rated route leads to a certificate of attendance. The credit-rated route requires learners to complete assessments, leading to a transcript of record and the credits can be accumulated to reach an award.
This module forms part of the PGCert/MA Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding. For those following the credit-rated route, credit from this module can be counted towards the PGCert/MA if you decide to continue your studies after completion. The Gcert and Ma is co-delivered with the United Nations Institute for training and Research (UNITAR)
The course is run by the Queen's Award winning Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP), a multidisciplinary centre founded in 1985, that brings together academics, development practitioners and policy makers to develop reflective practice.
Oxford Brookes University is one of the UK's leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation.
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
This course is for practitioners already working in the humanitarian, conflict transformation
and peacebuilding fields and in related areas (diplomacy, journalism…) who wish to continue their professional development,
and practitioners working in other fields interested in exploring opportunities in these areas.
Course fees
Course fees
For Credit: £1,145
Non-credit: £600
Application deadlines:
Credit rated: September 5th 2025
Non-credit rated (certificate of attendance): September 15th 2025
Cancellation policy
In case the course is cancelled, all registered participants will receive a 100% refund.
In case you need to cancel your booking, the following will apply:
Credit rated: A 50% refund will be issued if the cancellation is made up to and on 5 September. No refund will be provided in case of cancellations made after 5 September.
Non-credit rated: A 50% refund will be issued if the cancellation is made up to and on 15 September. No refund will be provided in case of cancellations made after 15 September.
Contact us
Contact us
If you have any enquiries about the course, please email us at: bpiquard@brookes.ac.uk
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