The Conflict Research Society (CRS) promotes research and the extension of knowledge about conflict processes and cooperation of all kinds. Though it has an international membership and presence, the events that it organises are normally held within the UK and Ireland.

The CRS was officially inaugurated in 1963 at University College, London while John Burton was lecturing there. It was the first British academic group to focus on conflict, predating the Bradford School of Peace Studies. In 1969, the CRS created the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies as its research arm. This is now housed and assisted by Lancaster University under the wing of its Department of Politics. The CRS has, and has had as members many distinguished peace researchers and others with wide involvements in related disciplines. The Society continues to play an influential part in bringing together a great diversity of interests to support the advance of our understanding of peace and conflict processes

The CRS fosters research and knowledge about the processes, methods and effectiveness of conflict, and the potential for cooperation and reconciliation.

It promotes its objectives by:

• Publishing a newsletter
• Arranging conferences
• Providing opportunities for dissemination and exchange of ideas and information
• Making grants to promote the objectives of the Society, and raising funds for this purpose
• Co-operating with others to promote the objectives of the Society

Through the Sydney Bailey Fund the CRS provides small grants to postgraduate students.