Professor Emeritus Mark Owen

Biography

Prof. Mark Owen is Emeritus Professor of Religion and Peacebuilding in the University's School of Humanities. He is former Director of the world-leading, high-impact Centre of Religions for Reconciliation and Peace (CRRP), with the work of CRRP receiving the highest rating of 4* for research impact in the 2012 and 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Mark’s work explores the complex intersections between religion, conflict, peacebuilding, migration and climate change, and is focused on enhancing peacebuilding, reconciliation, and social cohesion practice through evidence-based qualitative research. Consequently, as well as being an internationally recognised academic, Mark also has extensive expertise in conflict assessment and analysis, peacebuilding project design and delivery, and project evaluation. 

Mark has worked with academic partners, secular, religious and faith-based organisations and governments at community, national and international levels worldwide. Skilled in conducting high-quality research and analysis, Mark regularly produces audience-specific, evidence-based strategy and policy documents that directly inform conflict-sensitive peacebuilding strategies.

Mark, who gained a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism from the University of Winchester (2005–2009), has over 20 years’ experience in higher education, with a distinguished record in teaching excellence, leading international projects and collaborations, securing competitive research funding, and academic programme development - having designed and delivered a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Mark has carried out extensive fieldwork in conflict and post-conflict contexts throughout South Asia, as well as working in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and is currently serving as Secretary General of the European Council of Religious Leaders, Religions for Peace. 

Publications

Selected publications

Owen, M. & Crawford, G. 2026. (forthcoming). ‘Spontaneity, Creativity, and Resourcefulness in Unarmed Community Self-protection’. In López, Beatriz E. Arias et al. (eds), Unarmed Community Self-Protection and Nonviolent Resistance: Experiences from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Bristol University Press.

Owen, M. et al. 2026. ‘Ocean of Peace in the Pacific: analysis and reflections from a peace studies perspective’. Global Change, Peace & Security. https://doi.org/10.1080/14781158.2026.2616723 

Owen, M. & Mohamed-Saleem, Amjad. 2026. ‘Girls’ Education Under Siege: Decolonisation and Liberation Theologies as a Form of Resistance’. In: Religious Leadership: A Catalyst for Girls’ Education Amidist Rising Extremism. Woolf Institute & Muslim World League.

Owen, M. & Khaing, S. 2024. Unarmed Civilian Protection in Myanmar: Central Myanmar, Kachin and Chin State. Policy Brief - Creating Safer Spaces. https://creating-safer-space.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UCP-in-Myanmar-Policy-Brief.pdf 

Owen, M. & Vella, D. 2023. Conflict Assessment and Analysis in Refugee Contexts: Toolkit. University of Winchester & Jesuit Refugee Services.

Owen, M. 2022. ‘From Dust and Ashes: Religion and Peacebuilding in Nepal’. In: Mitchell, Jolyon et al. (eds) The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Religion and Peace. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Owen, M. 2020. The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships in Enhancing Social Cohesion in European Cities. European Policy Dialogue Forum, KAICIID. https://www.kaiciid.org/sites/default/files/epdf-policypaper-02-roleofmultistakeholderpartnerships-v5_1_0.jpg 

King, A.S. & Owen, M. 2020. ‘The Promise and Challenge of Multireligious Peacebuilding in the 21st Century: A Myanmar Case Study’. Religions, 11(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11030121 

Owen, M. & King, A. 2019. ‘Enhancing the Efficacy of Religious Peacebuilding Practice: An Evidence- based Framework for Assessing Dominant Risks in Peacebuilding’. Religions 2019: 10, 641. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10120641 

Frazer, O. & Owen, M. 2018. Religion in Conflict and Peacebuilding. United States Institute of Peace.

2018. Lyck-Bowen, M. & Owen, M. “A Multi-Religious Response to the Migrant Crisis in Europe: An Initial Examination of Potential Benefits of Multi-Religious Cooperation on the Integration of Migrants.” Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1437344 

Owen, M., 2018. ‘A Buddhist Response to the Theology of Religions’, In: Harris, E., Hedges, P. & Hettiarachchi, S. Thirty Years of Theology of Religions. Koninklijke Brill: pp 359–372.

Owen, M., 2014, ‘Devising a Methodological Framework for Analysing the Potential of Buddhist Peacebuilding’. Buddhist Contributions to Global Peacebuilding. Religions Press

Owen, M. (2014). Preparing for the Future: Reassessing the Possibility of Violence Emanating from Tibetan Exile Communities in India. India Review, 13(2), 149–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/14736489.2014.904154 

Owen, M. & King, A. August 2013. `Religion and Peacebuilding in Nepal'. CRRP Report Commissioned by the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, Government of Nepal.