Using the Dimensions of Peacebuilding Dashboards

Why these dashboards exist

These interactive dashboards leverage the Dimensions of Peacebuilding Dataset—the largest collection of data on peace and conflict in the world—to help users explore key questions about global conflicts and peacebuilding efforts. With over 34 datasets integrated in the Dimensions of Peacebuilding Dataset, our dashboards visualize where different kinds of peacebuilding efforts have been focused and how those efforts relate to trends in conflict and violence. Through these interactive dashboards, researchers, policy makers, and the public can explore and understand global conflicts across time. By making this data openly accessible and interactive, we aim to promote transparency and deeper understanding of conflict patterns and peace processes worldwide.

Download this guide as a PDF

What you can explore

Our dashboard suite consists of four specialized visualizations, each offering unique insights into conflict dynamics. These dashboards combine various data sources to present:

Historical conflict timelines
Geographic conflict mapping
Peace process indicators
Multiple conflict variables across time

How to use the dashboards

Basic Navigation

You can navigate between dashboards using the 4 tabs at the top of the embedded area. At the top of each dashboard, you’ll find interactive filters to customize your view—look for boxes with thick white borders that indicate interactive elements such as the grey dropdown boxes or selection sliders or grey dropdowns. The Conflict Report will likely require vertical scrolling to see all visualizations and access the ‘Download’ options at the bottom of the dashboard.

Feature

Description

Conflict Report

Time Series Comparison

Double Map

Single Map

Filter by Conflict Name

Use a dropdown to select a particular conflict.

Filter by Year

Use a dropdown to select a particular year.

Filter by Region

Use a dropdown to select a particular region.

Filter by Country

Use a dropdown to select a particular country.

Select Variables

Use a dropdown to select a particular variable.

Compare Two Variables

Use dropdown to select variables for comparison.

Animate Over Time

Use an animation control to select a year or create an animation.

Zoom and Pan Around Maps

Zoom using the scroll wheel or clicking the (+) or (-) buttons on the top lefthand side of a map and pan by clicking and dragging the mouse inside a map.

Hover for info

Hover the mouse over a chart / map for more information.

Download Chart-Specific Data

Click on the chart you’d like to download data for (nothing will happen after clicking), scroll to the bottom of the dashboards, click on the download icon, and then select “Data.”

Download Full Dataset

Above the dashboards, click the button labeled “Download the Dimensions of Peacebuilding Dataset.”

Download Dashboard as PDF or Image

Click “Download PDF” or “Download Image” and select download settings in pop-up window.

View Data Source

Click on underlined text, which will open a new browser tab to the source of the data. Please see data sources for definitions of specific terms.

Limitations

Data Availability

Map Visualization

Across all dashboards, certain variables may show “No Data” for certain years, or a line may be missing from a chart. This indicates the information wasn’t collected during that period for that conflict or that the conflict was not active during that period.

The color coding system in maps makes the following distinctions:

Regions with zero values appear the same as regions with no recorded conflict.
Regions that never appear in the dataset are displayed with dark, unshaded coloring.
The color legend uses a logarithmic scale, and Tableau does not allow the actual values to be shown, only the logarithmic transformations. This is why legends are not included in the maps.

Time Series Display

In the Conflict Report dashboard, time series charts maintain a fixed time range (1990-2022). For conflicts that span only a portion of this period, the visualization will show the complete timeline with empty periods.