This series of four meetings aims to explore some of the most pressing issues relating to civilian security and protection in situations of violent conflict. Each meeting will focus on one of four dimensions of this topic: the political and institutional policy environment; the operational challenges to protection; the link between physical security and livelihoods; and the use of advocacy in pursuit of protection goals. The series will bring together current and proposed research from the group, as well as a range of other organisational and academic perspectives. It is hoped that this set of meetings will shed new light on this agenda by drawing on the experience of practitioners, policy-makers and academics who are actively engaged with this vital topic.