It is a promising time for genocide prevention. Increasing amounts of research, and resources, have led to significant advances over the past two decades. Yet we still lack vital knowledge as to the most effective ways to stabilise and reduce the risk of genocide in current at-risk societies. This volume offers a compelling new approach: to understand how to prevent genocide, we need to examine societies in which genocide has been prevented. It is in these societies – in which a demonstrably high risk of genocide was present, but in which genocide did not occur – that we can potentially find key factors that promote resilience to genocide. The volume explores six such case studies, spanning three continents and seven decades. Through careful analysis it identifies eleven factors that have contributed to preventing genocide in multiple cases, and which have the potential to inform current approaches to prevention. Collectively, these offer a new, evidence-based approach to preventing genocide.

‘Genocide Prevention: An Evidence-Based Approach highlights a key gap in prevention scholarship and policy. In a move that is at once hopeful and practical, Mayersen draws upon lessons from the past to turn the conversation away from a sole focus on risk to offer examples of how societies can build resilience to genocide.’

Kerry Whigham - Binghamton University, and author of Resonant Violence: Affect, Memory and Activism in Post-Genocide Societies

‘A groundbreaking and essential contribution, Genocide Prevention: An Evidence-Based Approach offers clear, actionable insights grounded in rigorous research. Mayersen’s innovative risk and resilience framework redefines prevention strategies, equipping practitioners and policymakers to more effectively safeguard vulnerable populations across the globe.’

Tibi Galis - Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities Executive Director

‘In the current moment of democratic backsliding, increased authoritarianism, and widespread violence against civilians coupled with waning political will and resources to address atrocity risk, clear, actionable, and evidence based strategies to prevent genocide are more crucial than ever. This work is vital in providing a roadmap to prevention.’

Jeff Sizemore - 2026 Mary Ming-Wing Senior Human Rights Fellow for the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, University of Queensland