Turbulent times like ours call for people who understand systems of violence and conflict, and who are prepared to build peace with justice. This involves identifying and transforming systems of violence, marginalization, and oppression, including racist, gendered and colonial violence at home as well as around the world. Whether working locally or globally, Peace and Conflict Studies is committed to imagining, educating, and ongoing learning that equips our graduates to pursue justice and peace.
PACS as a department is located on territory that is governed by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and land promised to the Six Nations Confederacy in 1784 as part of the Haldimand Declaration. For more information, see Conrad Grebel University College's land acknowledgement and read about decolonization at the University of Waterloo's Office of Indigenous Relations.
Why Study Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)?
Learn diverse ways to promote peace, equitable justice, and social change through a vibrant interdisciplinary program that combines the study of history, political science, sociology, and psychology to understand better the causes and impact of interpersonal, communal, and international conflicts and violence in different societies. You will explore theory, research, and practice in classes taught by leading peace and justice scholars and practitioners. As an arts student, you will bring a unique perspective and set of skills to peace and conflict studies. Your creativity, critical thinking, and empathy can help contribute to finding new and innovative solutions to the complex challenges of peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Take courses on conflict mediation, non-violent social change, gender and peacebuilding, religion and culture, environment, community transformation, human rights and social justice, refugees and forced migration, negotiation strategies, trauma, healing, and restorative justice.
Prepare to become a peace practitioner, community leader, or entrepreneur in conflict management programs or work with community and international development organizations, education systems, law firms, social services, refugee resettlement program support agencies, and more after graduation.
Who are PACS graduates?
PACS graduates have gone into many careers and used their training in different ways.
To learn more about what students can do after they graduate from PACS, check out our alumni profiles
Events
The Make a Difference (MAD) Holiday Market 2026
Join us on Saturday, November 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Conrad Grebel University College for our annual Holiday Make a Difference Market! This festive event brings together local vendors and artisans for a joyful day of community, shopping, and giving back.
Browse unique, handmade gifts and support small businesses while helping us spread kindness this holiday season.
Your generosity will directly support the Compass Refugees, located in Downtown Kitchener.
Highlights: Free admission (Suggested $2 donation), Local vendor booths, silent auction, festive treats, and more!
Come shop, connect, and help make a difference this holiday season!
News
Kelly Brown: Going Beyond the Classroom
By Jules Gravestock
Since the inception of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) department, few students have taken as many courses as Kelly Brown (BA 2012, MPACS 2014). She is an alumnus of the MPACS program, majored in PACS as an undergraduate student, and attained the Conflict Management and Mediation Certificate. She has since gone on to work in mediation as well as teaching both at the University of Waterloo and beyond.
Bringing Peace and Justice Issues to the Podium
“According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, ‘thousands of students suffered physical and sexual abuse at residential schools. All suffered from loneliness and a longing to be home with their families.’ Mennonites were directly complicit in and responsible for the running of a number of these schools.” Sophia Kauffman shared these words with a predominantly American audience at Peace Talks in September.
As a second-year Peace and Conflict Studies and Political Science student at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, she has been learning more about Canadian Indigenous people and cultures, and wrestling with her own ingrained assumptions. “I titled this speech ‘Sitting with Our Shame’ because I believe that this is exactly what we as a church need to do. The first step is to find the shame,” she said in her speech. “Once we find that place, we then have to do the even harder thing. We have to sit there, sit with the shame and guilt of what we’ve done. Listen to the stories of those we have hurt. Realize that our church has so, so far to go in our work towards reconciliation. And then, even harder, we have to act.”
The Make a Difference (MAD) Holiday Market
The Make a Difference (MAD) Holiday Market
Join us on Saturday, November 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Conrad Grebel University College for our annual Holiday Make a Difference Market! This festive event brings together local vendors and artisans for a joyful day of community, shopping, and giving back.
Browse unique, handmade gifts and support small businesses while helping us spread kindness this holiday season.
Your generosity will directly support the Compass Refugees, located in Downtown Kitchener.
Highlights: Free admission (Suggested $2 donation), Local vendor booths, silent auction, festive treats, and more!
Come shop, connect, and help make a difference this holiday season!