Professor Highlights Disparity in Global Military and Peace Spending

Emeritus Professor Tom Woodhouse addresses global spending imbalance at Luxembourg Peace Prize ceremony

Emeritus Professor Tom Woodhouse, formerly of the University of Bradford, has drawn attention to the significant disparity between global military expenditure and investment in peacebuilding during his acceptance of the Luxembourg Peace Prize 2026. The award recognises his contributions to peace education over a career spanning more than 50 years.

Global Military Spending vs Peace Investment

Speaking at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg on 19 June 2026, Professor Woodhouse highlighted the scale of global military spending, estimated at over $2.9 trillion annually. In contrast, he noted that less than one per cent of this amount is allocated to peace education and conflict prevention initiatives worldwide.

He described this imbalance as “striking” and worsening, suggesting that even a modest reduction in military budgets could free up substantial resources for sectors such as education, healthcare, and clean energy, potentially generating a “peace dividend” on a global scale.

Career and Contributions to Peace Studies

Professor Woodhouse’s career in peace studies began in 1974 when he joined the University of Bradford’s newly established Department of Peace Studies as a research assistant. Over the following decades, he played a key role in developing the field, including supervising doctoral researchers and leading the University’s Centre for Conflict Resolution.

He also contributed to the establishment of peace studies programmes across Europe and Asia, reflecting the growth of the discipline from around 20 centres worldwide in the 1970s to over 700 today.

Innovative Approaches to Peacebuilding

Among his notable initiatives is the founding of the Football Peace Academy, which uses football-based activities to promote peace and social change. This includes projects in Colombia and work linked to the University of Bradford.

Recognition and Context

Professor Woodhouse received the Luxembourg Peace Prize in the category of outstanding contribution to peace education. He described the award as a personal honour and a recognition of the University of Bradford’s longstanding commitment to peace education.

Estimates of global defence spending referenced by Professor Woodhouse are supported by data from organisations such as the Institute for Economics and Peace and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which monitor global militarisation trends.