Each ethnic conflict is distinctive but all can be enlightened from the experiences of others. The Network aims to explore these shared general and theoretical insights through empirical study of conflict. It works through an international body of correspondents. John Darby is Director of the Network. The Network now has almost 700 members, from a broad disciplinary and geographical range.
Every continent is represented.
The greatest number are political scientists, but all other social sciences disciplines are represented. Almost all of the members come from regions which have experienced ethnic conflict over a large period, and their most common interest is in the field of conflict management and mediation. The last few years has seen an encouraging development of regional networks of scholars, based either in one country or in a group of neighbouring countries. This development reflects an awareness among scholars of both the distinctiveness of each ethnic conflict and how much ethnic conflicts have in common. A number of regional networks are affiliated to the Ethnic Studies Network representing regions such as Australasia, Chile, India, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, South Asia and West Africa.