This paper presents the theoretical and analytic framework for a Research Consortium on Education and Peacebuilding supported by UNICEF’s Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy (PBEA) programme which began in July 2014 led by the Universities of Amsterdam, Sussex and Ulster. The consortium seeks to build knowledge on the relationship between education and peacebuilding in conflict-affected contexts and has emerged out of a long-standing relationship between the authors, UNICEF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Netherlands that stretches back to 2006.