THE MINDANAO State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) has partnered with King’s College London and the British Academy to launch a two-year mentoring and publication program for emerging scholars in peace and conflict studies across Mindanao.

The program, funded with £29,831 (approximately P2.2 million) from the British Academy, will run until December 2027.

It will bring together 20 early career researchers and PhD students from institutions including MSU-IIT, MSU-Marawi, MSU-Naawan, MSU-Maguindanao, Sulu State College, Central Mindanao University, Northern Bukidnon State College, University of Southern Mindanao, Tagoloan Community College, University of Mindanao–Bansalan College, Sultan Kudarat State University, Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University, and The Australian National University.

Participants will take part in writing sprints, mentoring sessions, and masterclasses on critical themes shaping Mindanao’s peace and conflict landscape.

International mentors include Roger Mac Ginty and Bahar Baser of Durham University; Alex Waterman and James Worrall of the University of Leeds; Scott Gates of the Peace Research Institute Oslo; Pol Bargués of the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs; Dahlia Simangan of Hiroshima University; and Georgina Holmes of The Open University.

The initiative is co-led by Dr. Primitivo III Cabanes Ragandang, Director of the MSU-IIT Research Dissemination Office, and Dr. Sukanya Podder of King’s College London.

According to Dr. Ragandang, the program offers an important opportunity for Mindanaoan scholars “to sharpen their research skills, work with international mentors, and bring local perspectives into global conversations on peace and conflict.”

MSU-IIT said the project is part of the British Academy’s International Writing Workshops, which support early career researchers in developing countries by building networks, advancing research, and publishing in high-impact international journals.